On January 10th, 1997, a magnetic cloud originating at the Sun was incident on the Earth. The initial disturbance to the magnetosphere, as reflected in the activities of the aurora, was measured by the Ultraviolet Imager on the Polar Spacecraft. During this event we have observed the development of several unusual unique auroral forms that to our knowledge are unexplained in current models and theories. The observations were made on a global scale with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. The first activation of the aurora at local noon occurred within minutes of the arrival of the shock at 0107 UT. The substorm onset was observed at 0334 UT. During the intervening time significant polar cap precipitation occurred. ¿ 1998 American Geophysical Union