BS: Aurora Tonight?

Subject: Aurora Tonight?
From: Penny S.
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 04:43 PM

If you're far enough north or south, there's a major auroral display predicted for tonight.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 04:47 PM

Is there any best time of night for that? For once it looks like a clear sky for looking at this kind of thing. (A fine shade of green at the moment.)

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: black walnut
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 04:49 PM

oh, would i were not in the city....i hear that this whole summer is going to be great for them. they're quite far south this year. sigh.

~'nut

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: MMario
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 04:52 PM

we're fully overcast at this point...not much hope

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Penny S.
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 04:57 PM

Midnight

Or when it's dark.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 04:59 PM

Funnily enough the best 2 times I've seen the lights have been in the city - once in Edmonton (-30°C at 2 am!!!, coming home after working for an exam and NOT the bar) but much more surprisingly in Vancouver - much more comfortable sitting against a log near Spanish Banks just above Jericho Beach.

Only ever seen green, however. Some might like this link I found.

http://www.netreal.co.uk/aurora/gallery3.htm

Some great colours and patterns.

Rana

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Penny S.
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 05:10 PM

I've just checked in the current issue of Astronomy Now - during the big storm of April 6th, someone took good photographs in Leeds (Yorkshire, not Kent) and another in Stoke-on-Trent. It was also seen in Florida.

http://www.go2net.org/

http://www.go2net.org/cur/aurora.html

http://www.ips.gov.au/asfc/current/geomagnetic.html#geofor

http://www.sel.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapN.html

Some useful sites re predictions etc.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Penny S.
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 05:13 PM

And the peak may be tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 05:19 PM

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN

When I was a lad, a tiny wee lad, my mother said to me,
""Come see the Northern Lights my boy, they're bright as they can be.""
She called them the heavenly dancers, merry dancers in the sky,
I'll never forget that wonderful sight, they made the heavens bright.

For the rest of the song in the Digital Tradition, click here

And there's a few other songs in the DT with the Northern Lights in them. That's the only one I can hear in my head though. (And no Southern Lights songs? Don't they get up as far as New Zealand and Australia and Argentina?)

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Brendy
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 06:58 PM

Three years ago I was booked to do a set of gigs in Northern Norway.
To start off in Tromsø for 5 days, a 1000 km drive to Kirkenes, near the Russian border, for 3 days, down to Kautekieino, the capital of the Samisk nation, for 3 more nights, and then to Hammerfest, the most northerly town in the world, for a week.

It was also in the three weeks prior to Christmas,and it was in the 'mørketid', the time of darkness.
And d'ya know what?

No Northern Lights!!!

I was disgusted. I had hoped for at least a glimpse of them that far north, but I was told that it was too cold, too warm, too foggy, too this, too that.
I've seen them from the cottage in the mountains, and here in Oslo, but they always seem to be a little fainter and a bit lower in the sky than they would appear from the middle of Finnmarksvidda, for instance.
I haven't really seen a decent one yet, and as it's a bit light here at the minute; it never really gets too dark, I doubt it'll happen tonight either.
But have a happy Aurora anyway (if that's what they say on occasions like this)

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: black walnut
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 07:06 PM

I've seen some fabulous ones.... One looked like lake on fire on the other side of a hill..... Another favourite was during an evening concert of the Northern Lights Folk Festival in Sudbury. Aptly named! Our family found a spot away from the lights, but where we could still hear the music....Yet another made crackling sounds; we were at a bed and breakfast and the kids were already asleep and it was just one of those magic times....

Oh, I Wish I could see the one tonight from Toronto....

~black walnut

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Brendy
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 07:14 PM

I ain't got a map handy, but how far north is Toronto?

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: sophocleese
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 08:05 PM

South of me, I'll be up looking later. I remember an Eileen McGann concert where the break went on longer than expected because performers and audience were outside watching Northern Lights. A lovely evening.

The first time I saw Northern Lights I was 18 years old in the Rockies by a camp fire. I was transfixed awed and delighted.

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Sailor Dan
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 08:35 PM

I had one of the most fantastic views ever of the lights. While flying in the cockpit of a L1011 at about 33000 feet, I saw the most beautiful and impressive display of blue and green lights in the Northern sky. We had just passed Chicago enroute to San Francisco and the time was about 2300 Chicago time. I dont think anyone in that cockpit said a word for at least half an hour. Thats one flight I will never ever forget.

Sailor Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: black walnut
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 09:12 PM

Toronto = huge city = too many lights, even if the Northern Lights were to get down here, which is only slightly possible, i think.

~'nut

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 11:26 PM

I hope our sky is not too light to see them tonight! It's clear and beautiful today so our chances are good otherwise. We don't get spectacular ones as often as, say, Fairbanks, but sometimes we have tremendous ones. I've seen them here in every month except in June and July. Maybe this is the time for a June sighting!

At night I watch the Northern Lights stream across the sky
Silver and gold in ripples and folds
Of a purple scarf flung high
Green canopy of the Northern Lights!
Gleaming stars hang nigh
All nourish my soul in the crystal cold
Alone in the Northern Lights
Alone in the Northern Lights...

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 02:04 AM

Is it still called an aurora when this effect occurs in the Southern hemisphere? Ought it not be an australia? Austrora? Anyone from down under, or anywhere else, know?

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Night Owl
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 02:12 AM

"But they've never seen the Northern Lights
Never seen a hawk on the wing
Never seen the spring hit the Great Divide
No, they've never heard old camp Cookie sing."

from: Night Rider's Lament ('THEY' say we should be able to catch a glimpse here in New England Saturday eve.)

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Metchosin
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 03:45 AM

Mrrzy they are called the Aurora Australis.

I had an incedible expience in a remote valley on the Panther River in Banff National Park in August 1997. As I lay in the grass one night, the northern lights danced, twisted and snapped across the sky while coyotes yipped at one end of the valley and a pack of wolves serenaded from the other. It was by far the most beautiful heart stopping concert I have ever attended and the hand of man had no part in it at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: alison
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 03:45 AM

There are Southern Lights (Aurora Australis.. I think....the Northern ones being the Aurora Borealis.... OK latin scholars.. what do they mean? )...... but I have no idea how far south you need to be to see them.... certianly not from Sydney... can't see all of the ordinary stars from here.. it's way too bright....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Bugsy
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 03:50 AM

If Aurora is around tonight I hope she brings the KIA-ORA with her.

(You have been around watching very early TV commercials in UK to remember that one)

CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: alison
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 04:15 AM

for that weird orange glow in the sky ... eh bugsy??......... hahaha

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: sophocleese
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 08:29 AM

Well it was cloudy last night so I couldn't see anything, but I just heard on the radio that there wasn't anything to be seen last night anyway. Apparently the aurora was dancing away during daylight hours so it couldn't be seen. We'll see what happens tonight or other nights this summer.

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: MMario
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 09:09 AM

Since I am quite a bit south of Toronto, and have on occasion seen the aurora borealis, technically it should be possible from Toronto. But from here it is a minor display low on the horizon. I have seen pictures of the display further north and THAT is magnificant

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 11:17 AM

Thanks-

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: GUEST,Penny S.
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 12:07 PM

The most recent satellite image shows far less activity than yesterday's. I spent ages driving round to find a good viewing spot that felt safe, but failed. I did see a vixen teaching her young the hunting route and a vole crossing the road (no-where near the foxes), so it wasn't an entirely wasted trip.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 10:51 AM

No lights here. The sky was too light in any case. This time of year the heavens are the color of stone-washed jeans.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Brendy
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 01:18 PM

The 'Aurora' Home Page

All answers given here!!

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: GUEST,Penny S.
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 05:22 PM

At the risk of starting another red herring, things look interesting again. There might have been something visible in NZ South Island, or Tasmania last night from the maps.

Try this

A prediction page

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: GUEST,Penny S.
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 05:24 PM

When I set this up, the maps looked much more dramatic! Five minutes ago!

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: KT
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 07:19 PM

Ah....they are spectacular...and awe inspiring and humbling......McGrath of Harlow, the song you quoted reminded me of when my children were little. If the lights were out late in the evening it would be a time to bend the bedtime rules....and the fascination and awe remains still.... Late one night in mid February, around two years ago, there was a tremendous display....It was around 15 degrees outside.....My 16 year old son and I had to get up early the next morning for work/school, but that didn't matter. We grabbed our warmest sleeping bags and spread them out on the blanket of snow in the yard, snuggled down into them and watched. Swirls of green, white and red danced across the sky for hours. We stayed there well into the night, watching, talking, dreaming. One of those moments we both remember and cherish......sigh.....

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 09:45 PM

Can anybody tell if we will be able to see them from southern Wyoming, USA at all this year? I did see them here, about 15 yrs ago, but I can't tell from the maps if there is even any point in staying up late to see. Will it all be in the daytime in the Northern Hemisphere? I would love to see them again. Looks to me like I am too far south.

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: rangeroger
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 11:33 PM

When I first moved to Idaho,I worked as seasonal Park Ranger at Heyburn State Park on the southern end of Lake Couer d'Alene.My shift was 2:30-11:00 PM. The drive was 55 miles one way and I did it in my '67 Sprite.One night, not long after i started working there, I noticed a strange green glow in the sky to the north of me as I drove home.Pretty soon it had spread from the far west of my vision to the far east.This was my first view in my life of the Aurora.What a thrill.
I've come to look for them in the summer,just after the moon sets,but not depedant on it.I"ve seen red a few times, but mostly green and blue.Sometimes with major pulsing that is really unreal to watch.
It sometimes looks like the glow of a big city beyond the mountain ridges where no city cold possibly be.
God's Magic.
rr

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 11:38 PM

That is what I saw, range, only it was a red glow where no city was. I would love to see the sheets and curtains that I have seen photos of.

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: GUEST,Penny S.
Date: 27 Jun 00 - 05:38 AM

The sky was redder than it should have been for the thickness of the haze and sodium, but I can't be sure I saw anything. Oh well.

Have you found the animated maps of the last day's displays? They are small, but may help show the extreme range.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Aurora Tonight?
From: GUEST,Penny S.
Date: 27 Jun 00 - 05:38 AM

The sky was redder than it should have been for the thickness of the haze and sodium, but I can't be sure I saw anything. Oh well.

Have you found the animated maps of the last day's displays? They are small, but may help show the extreme range.

Penny