Please do not copy/upload this site's content to social media or other web sites. Those copies have been a critical problem, seriously harming this site and my photography/storm chasing operation by diverting traffic, viewers, engagement and income. "Credit" and "exposure" does not benefit this site or my operation, rather those actions threaten my ability to cover my operating expenses. Please read my full explanation for this notice here.
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To my regular readers, I offer my apologies for this heavy-handed notice, but unfortunately it has become necessary.
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In September of 2025, my work is generating the most income it ever has in my career. Yet, I'm being forced to shut down my successul operation, against my will, due to one cause alone: 95% of that revenue is being stolen by piracy and copyright infringement. I've lost more than $1 million to copyright infringement in the last 15 years, and it's finally brought an end to my professional storm chasing operation. Do not be misled by the lies of infringers, anti-copyright activists and organized piracy cartels. This page is a detailed, evidenced account of my battle I had to undertake to just barely stay in business, and eventually could not overcome. It's a problem faced by all of my colleagues and most other creators in the field.
An X-class solar flare on Thursday produced a coronal mass ejection that impacted earth on Saturday into Sunday, producing a display of vivid auroras visible all the way into southern Illinois and the St. Louis metro area. The display had several peaks, the most impressive right before sunrise. The following images are of the show over rural Clinton County near New Baden, IL (click each image for a larger version).
This first image is of the auroras at their brightest. Notice the meteor streaking downward at the upper right:
