Observation of polar aurora from the Salyut-6 space station during the great geomagnetic storm of 11-13 Apr. 1981

The results of visual observation of auroras in the Southern Hemisphere performed by the cosmonauts of the 5th major expedition onboard the Salyut-6 space station, flying at about 350 km altitude are presented. Notes made by the cosmonauts are quoted verbatim. The observations on the 11th and 12th of April, 1981 were used to construct schematic maps showing the area of the auroras above the Southern Hemisphere. The observations allow clear determination of the geographic area and date and time of the aurora associated with the magnetic storm.