Two photographs taken during the May 10, 2024, geomagnetic storm show bright rays connecting red and green auroras, suggesting that fast-moving electrons may produce both colors, according to a study in Annales Geophysicae [discovermagazine.com]. Sami Solanki, director of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, took one image, and Fraunhofer researcher Philipp Schulz took the other [discovermagazine.com]. The researchers say the field-aligned rays challenge some earlier explanations for red auroras, but the study relies on a handful of photographs. No instrument directly measured what caused the glow, and the authors say red auroras may have more than one cause [discovermagazine.com]. They are asking the public to submit more aurora images taken with exposures of six seconds or less [discovermagazine.com]. Highlights: • Rare observations: The paper's authors said no scientific paper had previously reported continuous rays linking the red and green displays [discovermagazine.com]. • Storm strength: The May 2024 geomagnetic storm was described as the second strongest since 1958, pushing auroras far beyond their usual polar regions [discovermagazine.com]. • Different altitudes: Oxygen emissions produce green auroras roughly 50 to 80 miles above Earth, while red auroras form at altitudes of roughly 125 to 500 miles [discovermagazine.com]. Sources: • Aurora Images Taken by Stargazers May Help Explain Elusive Red Northern Lights  - discovermagazine.com • Intense Aurora Photos from Washington, Oregon Coast - More Possible Tonight - beachconnection.net • Likely More Aurora Borealis Tonight: Finding It In Oregon, Washington, Coastlines (Photo Gallery) - beachconnection.net --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News