Upcoming Games

(UTC times)


Full list
Add a game

Upcoming Events

No events to display

Who's Online

Person82, waucott (2 users seen recently)

Northern Lights

You are here: Home > Forum > Miscellaneous > Open mic (non-railway) > Northern Lights

Page 1 of 1

Northern Lights 23/01/2012 at 18:31 #28075
Steamer
Avatar
3984 posts
Just as a general FYI for anyone in Scotland or Northern England, an increase in Solar activity means you could be in with a chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

See this story

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: Backup
Re: Northern Lights 23/01/2012 at 19:15 #28078
Backup
Avatar
89 posts
Thanks, I had no idea we were in a patch of activity. Adding to what you said:

I'd suggest trying here aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk for (almost) real-time quantative information on magnetic field deflections (as measured at ground level in Scotland); which are a useful guide to the likelihood of aurora activity at lower latitudes than usual.

Field movement along three axis (North/South H-component, East/West D-component, and Up/Down Z-component) are charted; but the part of the graph of greatest interest are the coloured bars - H-component. Green bars indicate no significant activity (UK sightings very unlikely), Yellow bars indicate increased activity (sightings possible in far north of Scotland), Amber bars indicate higher activity (sightings possible in Scotland, North of England, North of Ireland), while Red bars indicate "storm" activity (Sightings possible across large areas of the UK).

There are other factors at work, but the above chart seems to be a reliable and fast "four-aspect" indicator of probability.

They also operate an e-mail alerting system, but I consider this has limited use: Unless you check your e-mail frequently at night, notifications can arrive too late.

For those who use facebook, facebook.com/aurorawatchuk will post when noteworthy activity levels start occuring.

Last edited: 23/01/2012 at 19:16 by Backup
Reason: clarity

Log in to reply
Re: Northern Lights 23/01/2012 at 19:23 #28079
Laryk
Avatar
56 posts
" said:
Thanks, I had no idea we were in a patch of activity.
Jealous

Log in to reply
Re: Northern Lights 23/01/2012 at 23:48 #28087
Danny252
Avatar
1461 posts
http://www.universetoday.com/92855/stunning-auroras-from-around-the-world-january-22-23-2012/

Also due for another CME tomorrow (24th) afternoon/evening (predicted 1418UTC +- 7h): http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wsa-enlil/cme-based/

Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: Backup
Re: Northern Lights 24/01/2012 at 00:08 #28088
northroad
Avatar
872 posts
Truly amazing pictures and as per usual with me I am in the wrong place at the wrong time

Geoff

Log in to reply