Watch for Northern Lights tonight

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the visibility of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) and related experiences, observations, and inquiries about auroras in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Participants share personal anecdotes, express frustrations with weather conditions, and discuss the scientific context behind auroral activity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the Northern Lights may be visible south of the 45th parallel, referencing NOAA data for auroral activity.
  • Several individuals express disappointment over cloud cover and light pollution affecting their ability to see the auroras.
  • One participant recalls seeing the Northern Lights frequently while living in Fairbanks, Alaska, contrasting it with their current location's limitations.
  • There is speculation about whether the auroras were visible on the night in question, with some suggesting that the peak visibility was linked to a solar flare that occurred four days prior.
  • Participants inquire about the Australis aurorae and its potential correlation with the Northern Lights, indicating interest in auroras in the southern hemisphere.
  • Some express a desire to learn more about geomagnetism and the science behind auroras, sharing links to NOAA resources.
  • One participant mentions the solar wind's speed and its relevance to auroral visibility, while another discusses their ideal viewing conditions that did not yield results.
  • Frustration is expressed regarding the lack of auroral sightings over several years, with some attributing this to solar activity and magnetic field conditions.
  • Questions arise about the southern extent of auroras, with one participant asking if they ever reach the 35th parallel.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share personal experiences and observations, but there is no consensus on the visibility of the Northern Lights during the discussed night. Multiple competing views exist regarding the conditions necessary for auroral sightings and the impact of solar activity.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of knowledge about the science of auroras and geomagnetism, indicating a mix of amateur interest and desire for deeper understanding. Some discussions reference specific scientific phenomena, such as solar flares and solar wind, without resolving the complexities involved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in astronomy, meteorology, and the science of auroras, as well as those living in regions where auroras may be visible, may find this discussion relevant.

Ivan Seeking
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The Northern Lights - aurora borealis - may be visible tonight south of the 45 parallel.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/gif/pmapN.gif
This plot shows the current extent and position of the auroral oval in the northern hemisphere, extrapolated from measurements taken during the most recent polar pass of the NOAA POES satellite...
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapN.html
 
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Damn you clouds!
 
I'm too far south. The map shows me along the southern border, but I see nothing. Too bad.
 
I *might* be able to see them, but I live south of Seattle so the light pollution will probably get in the way.

When I lived in Fairbanks I saw them a lot of course...they're so cool :cool:. Definitely worth standing outside on a -40 night...at least for a few minutes.
 
Wait, are they on right now!?
 
Ivan Seeking said:
The Northern Lights - aurora borealis - may be visible tonight south of the 45 parallel.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/gif/pmapN.gif

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

Light pollution and too many trees...:mad:

The moon is pretty though. And the constellations... Gads what a beautiful universe. :smile:
 
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I can setup a solar panel and charge my cell phone over night from light pollution.
 
Was this only for last night?
 
I think last night was supposed to be the peak resulting from a solar flare four days ago.

Didn't see anything here in Oregon.
 
  • #10
Ivan Seeking said:
I think last night was supposed to be the peak resulting from a solar flare four days ago.

Didn't see anything here in Oregon.

I thought it might be from the kruez stargrazer comet "colliding" with the sun... A friend of mine told me that about a month ago a kruez stargrazer comet "collided" with the sun
 
  • #11
Do you have information about Australis aurorae or whatever it's called? I live in the South hemisphere... maybe there's a correlation between the north's ones and the south's ones. (Yeah I know, I should google... ahahah).
 
  • #12
fluidistic said:
Do you have information about Australis aurorae or whatever it's called? I live in the South hemisphere... maybe there's a correlation between the north's ones and the south's ones. (Yeah I know, I should google... ahahah).

No need to google as I already provided a link to the NOAA site. Here is the southern hemisphere.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/gif/pmapS.gif
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapS.html
 
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  • #13
Ivan Seeking said:
No need to google as I already provided a link to the NOAA site. Here is the southern hemisphere.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/gif/pmapS.gif
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapS.html

Thanks and sorry for not having seen it.
Ah, there's no way I can see aurora.
 
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  • #14
Ivan Seeking said:
I think last night was supposed to be the peak resulting from a solar flare four days ago.

Didn't see anything here in Oregon.

Thank you for the notice and for the link which I saved earlier today. Looks like it may take some time to understand how to follow the charts.
Of the physical sciences this is tied into a subject and passion I have had since childhood but never had a chance to study. Now with internet we can.
I also have a great interest in geomagnetism but do not know the best place to go on the internet to learn the basics on up.
There is a little mentioned on this forum under Earth.
Thanks
 
  • #15
Solar wind is around 600km/s, or about 2.95 days to reach earth. The fastest solar flare took around 15 minutes to reach Earth in 2005 I believe.
 
  • #16
Last night I had nearly ideal conditions in my home in Toronto: clear skies, a nearly unobstructed view of the north, and tolerable (as in, suburban-level) light pollution. I looked up several times but didn't see anything.
 
  • #17
ideasrule,
In Toronto do you see them? We use to see some lights in northern Minnesota.
I'm not there now. I've never seen the lights in colors though.
MotoH,
Thank you for the information on Solar wind.
 
  • #18
No, I've never seen the northern lights before. That said, I've only been living in suburban Toronto for 6 years, and was only an active amateur astronomer (as in, someone who goes out every clear night) for 2. I hope to see the lights someday.
 
  • #19
Minnesota ftw!

Honestly there hasn't been any northern lights in about 3 years that I have seen. I am at my shack with near zero light pollution (in a blue/gray region) every weekend in the late spring, and early fall and I haven't seen anything!

Our Sun needs to ramp it up, and our magnetic field needs to sit on the couch for a couple weeks (in other words become weak.) Although getting hit with a highly energized proton doesn't sound very fun.
 
  • #20
MotoH said:
Minnesota ftw!

Honestly there hasn't been any northern lights in about 3 years that I have seen. I am at my shack with near zero light pollution (in a blue/gray region) every weekend in the late spring, and early fall and I haven't seen anything!

Our Sun needs to ramp it up, and our magnetic field needs to sit on the couch for a couple weeks (in other words become weak.) Although getting hit with a highly energized proton doesn't sound very fun.

What kind of sun screen are thinking of using for this event you are dreaming up there?
And I think it was around Lake of the Woods, MN that I saw the aurora in white about 1977 in the winter or fall. Not sure the season and I might be off a year.
 
  • #21
Do they ever get down to about the 35th parallel?
 

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