The arrival of the CME had a strong impact on the space environment
of the Earth.
Northern lights (aurora borealis) have been observed even at mid
latitudes:
Aurora borealis on 6 April
2000 around 20:55 UT. (Photo snapped by Jürgen Rendtel in Marquardt
near Potsdam, Germany)
The Total Electron Content (TEC) of the ionosphere shows large enhancements
of ionisation around 21:00 UT with higher amplitudes in the high latitudes
(vicinity of the geomagnetic pole).
The vertical TEC maps are estimated by combining GPS measurements
of the tracking network of IGS with our regional TEC model (NTCM 2).
TEC map over Europe generated
at DLR Neustrelitz by using measurements of IGS grond network.
Enhanced geomagnetic activity and the additional ionisation of the polar ionosphere is accompanied by rapid changes of the electric potential measured at oil pipelines.
Voltage measured on pipelines
in Lauterbach, Germany on 6 / 7 April 2000 by Ruhrgas.
Click at the image above for a polar movie for 6. April 2000.