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Aurora Question
Ok - It sounds like there is a remote possibility that even here in the
burbs of Boston I might be able to see an aurora tonight. Having never seen one except is some ones photo - I am not entirely sure what the heck I am looking for. How long does a typical aurora last? Does it happened for an extended period of time or is it one of those if you blink you missed it scenarios? Any tips (other than go to the darkest location I can find) to improve my chances? Thanks, -- Glenn |
#2
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Aurora Question
Glenn Mulno wrote: Ok - It sounds like there is a remote possibility that even here in the burbs of Boston I might be able to see an aurora tonight. Having never seen one except is some ones photo - I am not entirely sure what the heck I am looking for. Maybe you haven't noticed yet. When you see such events announced in s.a.a., it is a coded message for clouds/rain/snow/sleet (substitute anything but "clear") here abouts... or didn't you notice the rain last night ?;-) How long does a typical aurora last? Does it happened for an extended period of time or is it one of those if you blink you missed it scenarios? Any tips (other than go to the darkest location I can find) to improve my chances? Thanks, -- Glenn |
#3
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Aurora Question
Oh sure - I noticed the rain. But the forecast is for clearing skies
"tonight" (whenever that is). Just thought I might give it a try. I just want to have an idea of what I am looking for. I feel comfy as far as color goes - I am just not sure how long it lasts and how frequent they appear. Thanks, -- Glenn "Richard F.L.R. Snashall" wrote in message ... Glenn Mulno wrote: Ok - It sounds like there is a remote possibility that even here in the burbs of Boston I might be able to see an aurora tonight. Having never seen one except is some ones photo - I am not entirely sure what the heck I am looking for. Maybe you haven't noticed yet. When you see such events announced in s.a.a., it is a coded message for clouds/rain/snow/sleet (substitute anything but "clear") here abouts... or didn't you notice the rain last night ?;-) How long does a typical aurora last? Does it happened for an extended period of time or is it one of those if you blink you missed it scenarios? Any tips (other than go to the darkest location I can find) to improve my chances? Thanks, -- Glenn |
#4
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Aurora Question
"Glenn Mulno" wrote in message ... Oh sure - I noticed the rain. But the forecast is for clearing skies "tonight" (whenever that is). Just thought I might give it a try. I just want to have an idea of what I am looking for. I feel comfy as far as color goes - I am just not sure how long it lasts and how frequent they appear. I'm told you should look at the sky every 10 minutes, because there can be substantial changes on that timescale, and that the most activity is usually just before midnight. A native of Georgia, I am *not* an experienced aurora watcher! |
#5
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Aurora Question
"Glenn Mulno" wrote in message ...
Ok - It sounds like there is a remote possibility that even here in the burbs of Boston I might be able to see an aurora tonight. Having never seen one except is some ones photo - I am not entirely sure what the heck I am looking for. How long does a typical aurora last? Does it happened for an extended period of time or is it one of those if you blink you missed it scenarios? Any tips (other than go to the darkest location I can find) to improve my chances? You are looking for a "neon-like" greenish light-glow in the skies. It can be very prominent or it can be just some sort of eerie light pollution. It usually appears in bands that some times span all the visible sky, other times just parts of it. It usually lasts for hours, but once you see it, chances are you'll be just watching how all those light play over the sky, changing rapidly on the order of seconds. Once you see it you will not be in doubt of what it is. According to Scandinavian folklore the aurora was due to the "åsgårdsrei", the ghosts of the dead returning to Odin's Valhall after battle. If you wave at the aurora with a white piece of cloth, the spirits would see you and bring you along. So you may want to pay a little attention to what you are wearing while outside... Rune |
#6
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Aurora Question
Hi there. You posted:
How long does a typical aurora last? Does it happened for an extended period of time or is it one of those if you blink you missed it scenarios? Any tips (other than go to the darkest location I can find) to improve my chances? It lasts anywhere from a few minutes to all night. The activity waxes and wanes quite a bit as time goes on, but often the main auroral band low in the north can remain present for much of the night. The quality of the display can range from a barely-discrenable glow low in the north to some of the most spectacular color that you will probably ever see in the sky. You need to be out north of any major lighting and just keep watching for an hour or two at least. Clear skies to you. -- David W. Knisely Prairie Astronomy Club: http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org Hyde Memorial Observatory: http://www.hydeobservatory.info/ ********************************************** * Attend the 11th Annual NEBRASKA STAR PARTY * * July 18-23, 2004, Merritt Reservoir * * http://www.NebraskaStarParty.org * ********************************************** |
#7
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Aurora Question
Rune Allnor wrote:
: Once you see it you will not be in doubt of what it is. As a first-time observer as of about 8pm / Oct 30 EST (I guess that would be October 31, 0100 UTC, correct?), I see what you mean. Although the display I saw was quite faint (apparently I caught the last of it as it was fading) I quite instantly understood what all those paintings and photographs of the northern lights were attempting to depict. Larry |
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