What the heck did we see? (long post)

Hi guys,

I'm interested in astronomy but have extremely limited experience and
knowledge in the subject. My girlfriend and I saw something a couple of
years ago and I was wondering if any of you wouldn't mind explaining it.

A meteor shower was predicted one night; I forget which - all I remember is
that it was a bit cold outside. Perhaps mid-autumn? Anyway, my band had a
gig in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After the gig, at around 2:30 or later, we
arrived at Michele's (my girlfriend's) parents' house to spend the night
before returning to Milton. Michele remarked that something funny was going
on in the sky, and when I looked up I was so awestruck that the two of us
then spent what seemed like the better part of an hour lying on our backs on
the sidewalk looking up.

I wasn't sure if it was the meteor shower we had heard mention of. There
were no distinct points of light shooting across the sky. Instead, the
phenomenon had the appearance of a great mist rising from the horizon in all
directions at an extremely high velocity, and collecting in a trail directly
overhead. I would liken the image to that of riding in the rear-facing
backseat of a station wagon while travelling through a fog.

Forgive my naive amazement, but the effect was terrifying. At the time, my
only guess as to the cause was that perhaps the Earth was passing through
some immense cloud of cosmic dust. I felt overwhelmed by the conveyance of
the size of the Earth and the speed at which it travels. We finally got up,
feeling rather small and disoriented after losing ourselves in contemplation
of the whole thing.

Sorry about the lengthy description, but it's my nature to spare no details.

Anyhow, that cosmic display was all we could talk about for weeks. I've
never seen anything quite like it since, but it seems that I did come close
about a year later: While listening to WGN radio during the wee hours of
the morning, I heard a talk show host exclaim that the studio was getting
several calls from Chicagoans regarding strange shimmering in the sky. Some
of the callers were wondering if there was a fire! After doing a little
asking around during commercials (and presumably looking out the window),
the host ascertained that the image was a celestial one, not a local one;
but he couldn't find anyone in the studio who could explain it. Upon
hearing this, I rushed outside and saw a faint trace of what I saw before.

I'm positive this wasn't an Aurora. If it's a meteor shower, then why the
lack of large bodies streaking across the sky? Why the cloudy shimmering
rays streaking upward from all corners of the horizon? Is that a by-product
of meteor showers? They seem related in cause, I suppose.

Could someone here who is more knowledgable please explain to me, once and
for all, what I saw? The question has been bugging me, plus I want to see
it again! It's absolutely the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed.
Is it predictable? Once again, I'm sure you guys have all seen this enough
so as not to gush on about it like I have, but...holy cow.


Lyle

Well, it sounds like an auroral display. What makes you so certain that it
wasn't?


"Lyle Raymond" wrote in message
...
Hi guys,

I'm interested in astronomy but have extremely limited experience and
knowledge in the subject. My girlfriend and I saw something a couple of
years ago and I was wondering if any of you wouldn't mind explaining it.

A meteor shower was predicted one night; I forget which - all I remember
is
that it was a bit cold outside. Perhaps mid-autumn? Anyway, my band had
a
gig in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After the gig, at around 2:30 or later, we
arrived at Michele's (my girlfriend's) parents' house to spend the night
before returning to Milton. Michele remarked that something funny was
going
on in the sky, and when I looked up I was so awestruck that the two of us
then spent what seemed like the better part of an hour lying on our backs
on
the sidewalk looking up.

I wasn't sure if it was the meteor shower we had heard mention of. There
were no distinct points of light shooting across the sky. Instead, the
phenomenon had the appearance of a great mist rising from the horizon in
all
directions at an extremely high velocity, and collecting in a trail
directly
overhead. I would liken the image to that of riding in the rear-facing
backseat of a station wagon while travelling through a fog.

Forgive my naive amazement, but the effect was terrifying. At the time,
my
only guess as to the cause was that perhaps the Earth was passing through
some immense cloud of cosmic dust. I felt overwhelmed by the conveyance
of
the size of the Earth and the speed at which it travels. We finally got
up,
feeling rather small and disoriented after losing ourselves in
contemplation
of the whole thing.

Sorry about the lengthy description, but it's my nature to spare no
details.

Anyhow, that cosmic display was all we could talk about for weeks. I've
never seen anything quite like it since, but it seems that I did come
close
about a year later: While listening to WGN radio during the wee hours of
the morning, I heard a talk show host exclaim that the studio was getting
several calls from Chicagoans regarding strange shimmering in the sky.
Some
of the callers were wondering if there was a fire! After doing a little
asking around during commercials (and presumably looking out the window),
the host ascertained that the image was a celestial one, not a local one;
but he couldn't find anyone in the studio who could explain it. Upon
hearing this, I rushed outside and saw a faint trace of what I saw before.

I'm positive this wasn't an Aurora. If it's a meteor shower, then why the
lack of large bodies streaking across the sky? Why the cloudy shimmering
rays streaking upward from all corners of the horizon? Is that a
by-product
of meteor showers? They seem related in cause, I suppose.

Could someone here who is more knowledgable please explain to me, once and
for all, what I saw? The question has been bugging me, plus I want to see
it again! It's absolutely the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed.
Is it predictable? Once again, I'm sure you guys have all seen this
enough
so as not to gush on about it like I have, but...holy cow.


Lyle

Well, it sounds like an auroral display. What makes you so certain that it
wasn't?


"Lyle Raymond" wrote in message
...
Hi guys,

I'm interested in astronomy but have extremely limited experience and
knowledge in the subject. My girlfriend and I saw something a couple of
years ago and I was wondering if any of you wouldn't mind explaining it.

A meteor shower was predicted one night; I forget which - all I remember
is
that it was a bit cold outside. Perhaps mid-autumn? Anyway, my band had
a
gig in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After the gig, at around 2:30 or later, we
arrived at Michele's (my girlfriend's) parents' house to spend the night
before returning to Milton. Michele remarked that something funny was
going
on in the sky, and when I looked up I was so awestruck that the two of us
then spent what seemed like the better part of an hour lying on our backs
on
the sidewalk looking up.

I wasn't sure if it was the meteor shower we had heard mention of. There
were no distinct points of light shooting across the sky. Instead, the
phenomenon had the appearance of a great mist rising from the horizon in
all
directions at an extremely high velocity, and collecting in a trail
directly
overhead. I would liken the image to that of riding in the rear-facing
backseat of a station wagon while travelling through a fog.

Forgive my naive amazement, but the effect was terrifying. At the time,
my
only guess as to the cause was that perhaps the Earth was passing through
some immense cloud of cosmic dust. I felt overwhelmed by the conveyance
of
the size of the Earth and the speed at which it travels. We finally got
up,
feeling rather small and disoriented after losing ourselves in
contemplation
of the whole thing.

Sorry about the lengthy description, but it's my nature to spare no
details.

Anyhow, that cosmic display was all we could talk about for weeks. I've
never seen anything quite like it since, but it seems that I did come
close
about a year later: While listening to WGN radio during the wee hours of
the morning, I heard a talk show host exclaim that the studio was getting
several calls from Chicagoans regarding strange shimmering in the sky.
Some
of the callers were wondering if there was a fire! After doing a little
asking around during commercials (and presumably looking out the window),
the host ascertained that the image was a celestial one, not a local one;
but he couldn't find anyone in the studio who could explain it. Upon
hearing this, I rushed outside and saw a faint trace of what I saw before.

I'm positive this wasn't an Aurora. If it's a meteor shower, then why the
lack of large bodies streaking across the sky? Why the cloudy shimmering
rays streaking upward from all corners of the horizon? Is that a
by-product
of meteor showers? They seem related in cause, I suppose.

Could someone here who is more knowledgable please explain to me, once and
for all, what I saw? The question has been bugging me, plus I want to see
it again! It's absolutely the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed.
Is it predictable? Once again, I'm sure you guys have all seen this
enough
so as not to gush on about it like I have, but...holy cow.


Lyle

The only couple of times I saw an auroral display, it originated northward.
This came from all directions. Plus, its motion seemed different. It was
clearly as if the Earth was moving through something in its path - which
figures to make sense, since it was close to 3am, when I would have been
positioned near the center of Earth's "dark half." Finally, in Wisconsin,
on the very rare occassions we are treated to aurorae (sp?), they are faint
and fleeting.

But come to think of it, I won't rule out the possibility. Whatever it is,
I just need to be sure.

"Bill Nunnelee" wrote in message
k.net...
Well, it sounds like an auroral display. What makes you so certain that
it
wasn't?


"Lyle Raymond" wrote in message
...
Hi guys,

I'm interested in astronomy but have extremely limited experience and
knowledge in the subject. My girlfriend and I saw something a couple of
years ago and I was wondering if any of you wouldn't mind explaining it.

A meteor shower was predicted one night; I forget which - all I remember
is
that it was a bit cold outside. Perhaps mid-autumn? Anyway, my band
had
a
gig in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After the gig, at around 2:30 or later, we
arrived at Michele's (my girlfriend's) parents' house to spend the night
before returning to Milton. Michele remarked that something funny was
going
on in the sky, and when I looked up I was so awestruck that the two of
us
then spent what seemed like the better part of an hour lying on our
backs
on
the sidewalk looking up.

I wasn't sure if it was the meteor shower we had heard mention of.
There
were no distinct points of light shooting across the sky. Instead, the
phenomenon had the appearance of a great mist rising from the horizon in
all
directions at an extremely high velocity, and collecting in a trail
directly
overhead. I would liken the image to that of riding in the rear-facing
backseat of a station wagon while travelling through a fog.

Forgive my naive amazement, but the effect was terrifying. At the time,
my
only guess as to the cause was that perhaps the Earth was passing
through
some immense cloud of cosmic dust. I felt overwhelmed by the conveyance
of
the size of the Earth and the speed at which it travels. We finally got
up,
feeling rather small and disoriented after losing ourselves in
contemplation
of the whole thing.

Sorry about the lengthy description, but it's my nature to spare no
details.

Anyhow, that cosmic display was all we could talk about for weeks. I've
never seen anything quite like it since, but it seems that I did come
close
about a year later: While listening to WGN radio during the wee hours
of
the morning, I heard a talk show host exclaim that the studio was
getting
several calls from Chicagoans regarding strange shimmering in the sky.
Some
of the callers were wondering if there was a fire! After doing a little
asking around during commercials (and presumably looking out the
window),
the host ascertained that the image was a celestial one, not a local
one;
but he couldn't find anyone in the studio who could explain it. Upon
hearing this, I rushed outside and saw a faint trace of what I saw
before.

I'm positive this wasn't an Aurora. If it's a meteor shower, then why
the
lack of large bodies streaking across the sky? Why the cloudy
shimmering
rays streaking upward from all corners of the horizon? Is that a
by-product
of meteor showers? They seem related in cause, I suppose.

Could someone here who is more knowledgable please explain to me, once
and
for all, what I saw? The question has been bugging me, plus I want to
see
it again! It's absolutely the most beautiful sight I have ever
witnessed.
Is it predictable? Once again, I'm sure you guys have all seen this
enough
so as not to gush on about it like I have, but...holy cow.


Lyle

The only couple of times I saw an auroral display, it originated northward.
This came from all directions. Plus, its motion seemed different. It was
clearly as if the Earth was moving through something in its path - which
figures to make sense, since it was close to 3am, when I would have been
positioned near the center of Earth's "dark half." Finally, in Wisconsin,
on the very rare occassions we are treated to aurorae (sp?), they are faint
and fleeting.

But come to think of it, I won't rule out the possibility. Whatever it is,
I just need to be sure.

"Bill Nunnelee" wrote in message
k.net...
Well, it sounds like an auroral display. What makes you so certain that
it
wasn't?


"Lyle Raymond" wrote in message
...
Hi guys,

I'm interested in astronomy but have extremely limited experience and
knowledge in the subject. My girlfriend and I saw something a couple of
years ago and I was wondering if any of you wouldn't mind explaining it.

A meteor shower was predicted one night; I forget which - all I remember
is
that it was a bit cold outside. Perhaps mid-autumn? Anyway, my band
had
a
gig in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After the gig, at around 2:30 or later, we
arrived at Michele's (my girlfriend's) parents' house to spend the night
before returning to Milton. Michele remarked that something funny was
going
on in the sky, and when I looked up I was so awestruck that the two of
us
then spent what seemed like the better part of an hour lying on our
backs
on
the sidewalk looking up.

I wasn't sure if it was the meteor shower we had heard mention of.
There
were no distinct points of light shooting across the sky. Instead, the
phenomenon had the appearance of a great mist rising from the horizon in
all
directions at an extremely high velocity, and collecting in a trail
directly
overhead. I would liken the image to that of riding in the rear-facing
backseat of a station wagon while travelling through a fog.

Forgive my naive amazement, but the effect was terrifying. At the time,
my
only guess as to the cause was that perhaps the Earth was passing
through
some immense cloud of cosmic dust. I felt overwhelmed by the conveyance
of
the size of the Earth and the speed at which it travels. We finally got
up,
feeling rather small and disoriented after losing ourselves in
contemplation
of the whole thing.

Sorry about the lengthy description, but it's my nature to spare no
details.

Anyhow, that cosmic display was all we could talk about for weeks. I've
never seen anything quite like it since, but it seems that I did come
close
about a year later: While listening to WGN radio during the wee hours
of
the morning, I heard a talk show host exclaim that the studio was
getting
several calls from Chicagoans regarding strange shimmering in the sky.
Some
of the callers were wondering if there was a fire! After doing a little
asking around during commercials (and presumably looking out the
window),
the host ascertained that the image was a celestial one, not a local
one;
but he couldn't find anyone in the studio who could explain it. Upon
hearing this, I rushed outside and saw a faint trace of what I saw
before.

I'm positive this wasn't an Aurora. If it's a meteor shower, then why
the
lack of large bodies streaking across the sky? Why the cloudy
shimmering
rays streaking upward from all corners of the horizon? Is that a
by-product
of meteor showers? They seem related in cause, I suppose.

Could someone here who is more knowledgable please explain to me, once
and
for all, what I saw? The question has been bugging me, plus I want to
see
it again! It's absolutely the most beautiful sight I have ever
witnessed.
Is it predictable? Once again, I'm sure you guys have all seen this
enough
so as not to gush on about it like I have, but...holy cow.


Lyle

"Lyle Raymond" wrote in message ...
The only couple of times I saw an auroral display, it originated northward.
This came from all directions. Plus, its motion seemed different. It was
clearly as if the Earth was moving through something in its path - which
figures to make sense, since it was close to 3am, when I would have been
positioned near the center of Earth's "dark half." Finally, in Wisconsin,
on the very rare occassions we are treated to aurorae (sp?), they are faint
and fleeting.

This was almost certainly an aurora.

As for whether you were seeing motion of the Earth through some cloud:
it's extremely unlikely. The direction of Earth through the solar
system is almost the opposite of what you suppose: the direction in
which we're traveling is a celestial point that rises at midnight and
crosses the meridian at 6 AM. At 3 in the morning, the Earth is
heading in a direction that (from your perspective in Wisconsin, i.e.
47 degrees North or so) would be high in the sky, in the southeast

Note the Earth is heading *toward* this location, not away. If you
could see hypothetical objects "streaming past" the Earth as it moved
through some celestial cloud, the objects would radiate *outward* from
that location.

(By the way, during a meteor shower, this point is called the
"radiant" and in fact most meteor trails *do* appear to radiate away
from it, for exactly the reason that the Earth is moving through a
cloud of particles.)

On the other hand, auroral displays have been known to display things
exactly what you describe, and last Autumn in particular there was a
solar flare (I forget exactly which) that resulted in dynamic and
pretty full-sky aurorae as far south as Sacramento CA, even visible
from light-polluted suburbs.

But come to think of it, I won't rule out the possibility. Whatever it is,
I just need to be sure.

I am certainly confident that you saw aurora, based on your
description. Whether that makes you sure or not is up to you.


I wasn't sure if it was the meteor shower we had heard mention of.
There were no distinct points of light shooting across the sky. Instead,
the phenomenon had the appearance of a great mist rising from the horizon
in all directions at an extremely high velocity, and collecting in a trail
directly overhead. I would liken the image to that of riding in the
rear-facing backseat of a station wagon while travelling through a fog.

Excellent description, by the way.

eyelessgame

"Lyle Raymond" wrote in message ...
The only couple of times I saw an auroral display, it originated northward.
This came from all directions. Plus, its motion seemed different. It was
clearly as if the Earth was moving through something in its path - which
figures to make sense, since it was close to 3am, when I would have been
positioned near the center of Earth's "dark half." Finally, in Wisconsin,
on the very rare occassions we are treated to aurorae (sp?), they are faint
and fleeting.

This was almost certainly an aurora.

As for whether you were seeing motion of the Earth through some cloud:
it's extremely unlikely. The direction of Earth through the solar
system is almost the opposite of what you suppose: the direction in
which we're traveling is a celestial point that rises at midnight and
crosses the meridian at 6 AM. At 3 in the morning, the Earth is
heading in a direction that (from your perspective in Wisconsin, i.e.
47 degrees North or so) would be high in the sky, in the southeast

Note the Earth is heading *toward* this location, not away. If you
could see hypothetical objects "streaming past" the Earth as it moved
through some celestial cloud, the objects would radiate *outward* from
that location.

(By the way, during a meteor shower, this point is called the
"radiant" and in fact most meteor trails *do* appear to radiate away
from it, for exactly the reason that the Earth is moving through a
cloud of particles.)

On the other hand, auroral displays have been known to display things
exactly what you describe, and last Autumn in particular there was a
solar flare (I forget exactly which) that resulted in dynamic and
pretty full-sky aurorae as far south as Sacramento CA, even visible
from light-polluted suburbs.

But come to think of it, I won't rule out the possibility. Whatever it is,
I just need to be sure.

I am certainly confident that you saw aurora, based on your
description. Whether that makes you sure or not is up to you.


I wasn't sure if it was the meteor shower we had heard mention of.
There were no distinct points of light shooting across the sky. Instead,
the phenomenon had the appearance of a great mist rising from the horizon
in all directions at an extremely high velocity, and collecting in a trail
directly overhead. I would liken the image to that of riding in the
rear-facing backseat of a station wagon while travelling through a fog.

Excellent description, by the way.

eyelessgame

sounds like an auroral display -- I agree with Bill


Lyle Raymond wrote:

Hi guys,

I'm interested in astronomy but have extremely limited experience and
knowledge in the subject. My girlfriend and I saw something a couple of
years ago and I was wondering if any of you wouldn't mind explaining it.

A meteor shower was predicted one night; I forget which - all I remember is
that it was a bit cold outside. Perhaps mid-autumn? Anyway, my band had a
gig in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After the gig, at around 2:30 or later, we
arrived at Michele's (my girlfriend's) parents' house to spend the night
before returning to Milton. Michele remarked that something funny was going
on in the sky, and when I looked up I was so awestruck that the two of us
then spent what seemed like the better part of an hour lying on our backs on
the sidewalk looking up.

I wasn't sure if it was the meteor shower we had heard mention of. There
were no distinct points of light shooting across the sky. Instead, the
phenomenon had the appearance of a great mist rising from the horizon in all
directions at an extremely high velocity, and collecting in a trail directly
overhead. I would liken the image to that of riding in the rear-facing
backseat of a station wagon while travelling through a fog.

Forgive my naive amazement, but the effect was terrifying. At the time, my
only guess as to the cause was that perhaps the Earth was passing through
some immense cloud of cosmic dust. I felt overwhelmed by the conveyance of
the size of the Earth and the speed at which it travels. We finally got up,
feeling rather small and disoriented after losing ourselves in contemplation
of the whole thing.

sounds like an auroral display -- I agree with Bill


Lyle Raymond wrote:

Hi guys,

I'm interested in astronomy but have extremely limited experience and
knowledge in the subject. My girlfriend and I saw something a couple of
years ago and I was wondering if any of you wouldn't mind explaining it.

A meteor shower was predicted one night; I forget which - all I remember is
that it was a bit cold outside. Perhaps mid-autumn? Anyway, my band had a
gig in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After the gig, at around 2:30 or later, we
arrived at Michele's (my girlfriend's) parents' house to spend the night
before returning to Milton. Michele remarked that something funny was going
on in the sky, and when I looked up I was so awestruck that the two of us
then spent what seemed like the better part of an hour lying on our backs on
the sidewalk looking up.

I wasn't sure if it was the meteor shower we had heard mention of. There
were no distinct points of light shooting across the sky. Instead, the
phenomenon had the appearance of a great mist rising from the horizon in all
directions at an extremely high velocity, and collecting in a trail directly
overhead. I would liken the image to that of riding in the rear-facing
backseat of a station wagon while travelling through a fog.

Forgive my naive amazement, but the effect was terrifying. At the time, my
only guess as to the cause was that perhaps the Earth was passing through
some immense cloud of cosmic dust. I felt overwhelmed by the conveyance of
the size of the Earth and the speed at which it travels. We finally got up,
feeling rather small and disoriented after losing ourselves in contemplation
of the whole thing.

Hello Bill and Lyle,
It probably was aurora borealis. For many years I am interested in celestial
events because I have seen things I can not explain even today. At the
moment the sun is in a cycle and is very active since a few years. At the
moment there is a sun storm coming towards the earth and they expect
problems with frequences and satellites and aeroplanes. Satellites get lost
and wander of when heavy sun storms are predicted. Also one can see very
beautifull auroras when this happens. In earths history at every great
extinction they find in the layers of extinction great quantities of
irridium. And this irridium is related to the sun's activity. When there is
a sun storm, the sun emmits irridium flares. I am reading on the subject but
I am no specialist in it. If you have seen a special event Lyle, I think you
are the only one who can try to find an explanation. I only can give you
clues. Clear skies and horizons.

"Bill Nunnelee" schreef in bericht
k.net...
Well, it sounds like an auroral display. What makes you so certain that
it
wasn't?


"Lyle Raymond" wrote in message
...
Hi guys,

I'm interested in astronomy but have extremely limited experience and
knowledge in the subject. My girlfriend and I saw something a couple of
years ago and I was wondering if any of you wouldn't mind explaining it.

A meteor shower was predicted one night; I forget which - all I remember
is
that it was a bit cold outside. Perhaps mid-autumn? Anyway, my band
had
a
gig in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After the gig, at around 2:30 or later, we
arrived at Michele's (my girlfriend's) parents' house to spend the night
before returning to Milton. Michele remarked that something funny was
going
on in the sky, and when I looked up I was so awestruck that the two of
us
then spent what seemed like the better part of an hour lying on our
backs
on
the sidewalk looking up.

I wasn't sure if it was the meteor shower we had heard mention of.
There
were no distinct points of light shooting across the sky. Instead, the
phenomenon had the appearance of a great mist rising from the horizon in
all
directions at an extremely high velocity, and collecting in a trail
directly
overhead. I would liken the image to that of riding in the rear-facing
backseat of a station wagon while travelling through a fog.

Forgive my naive amazement, but the effect was terrifying. At the time,
my
only guess as to the cause was that perhaps the Earth was passing
through
some immense cloud of cosmic dust. I felt overwhelmed by the conveyance
of
the size of the Earth and the speed at which it travels. We finally got
up,
feeling rather small and disoriented after losing ourselves in
contemplation
of the whole thing.

Sorry about the lengthy description, but it's my nature to spare no
details.

Anyhow, that cosmic display was all we could talk about for weeks. I've
never seen anything quite like it since, but it seems that I did come
close
about a year later: While listening to WGN radio during the wee hours
of
the morning, I heard a talk show host exclaim that the studio was
getting
several calls from Chicagoans regarding strange shimmering in the sky.
Some
of the callers were wondering if there was a fire! After doing a little
asking around during commercials (and presumably looking out the
window),
the host ascertained that the image was a celestial one, not a local
one;
but he couldn't find anyone in the studio who could explain it. Upon
hearing this, I rushed outside and saw a faint trace of what I saw
before.

I'm positive this wasn't an Aurora. If it's a meteor shower, then why
the
lack of large bodies streaking across the sky? Why the cloudy
shimmering
rays streaking upward from all corners of the horizon? Is that a
by-product
of meteor showers? They seem related in cause, I suppose.

Could someone here who is more knowledgable please explain to me, once
and
for all, what I saw? The question has been bugging me, plus I want to
see
it again! It's absolutely the most beautiful sight I have ever
witnessed.
Is it predictable? Once again, I'm sure you guys have all seen this
enough
so as not to gush on about it like I have, but...holy cow.


Lyle