The sun has been very active lately, and the chances to see some aurora (borealis or australis, depending on where you are) at middle latitudes are good. Here's an excerpt from the astroalert of the Solar Terrestrial Dispatch ( www.spacew.com ):
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MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY WARNING
Issued: 01:45 UTC on 11 September 2005
Solar Terrestrial Dispatch
www.spacew.com
VALID BEGINNING AT: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
VALID UNTIL: 23:00 UTC (6 pm EST) ON 14 SEPTEMBER
HIGH RISK PERIOD: 11-13 SEPTEMBER (UTC DAYS)
MODERATE RISK PERIOD: 11-14 SEPTEMBER
PREDICTED ACTIVITY INDICES: 50, 40, 40, 20 (11 - 14 SEPTEMBER)
POTENTIAL MAGNITUDE OF MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY: MODERATE TO HIGH
POTENTIAL DURATION OF THIS ACTIVITY: MAIN BELT = 24-72 HOURS
MINOR BELT = 72-96 HOURS
ESTIMATED OPTIMUM OBSERVING CONDITIONS: NEAR OR AFTER LOCAL MIDNIGHT
EXPECTED LUNAR INTERFERENCE: LOW TO MODERATE
OVERALL OPPORTUNITY FOR OBSERVATIONS FROM MIDDLE LATITUDES: FAIR TO GOOD
AURORAL ACTIVITY *MAY* BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM...
(THIS LINE IS VALID *ONLY* IF FAVORABLE STORM CONDITIONS OCCUR)
OREGON TO SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHERN UTAH TO WYOMING TO NEBRASKA TO
NORTHERN MISSOURI TO SOUTHERN ILLINOIS TO KENTUCKY TO VIRGINIA.
ACTIVITY *MAY* ALSO BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM...
(THIS LINE IS VALID *ONLY* IF FAVORABLE STORM CONDITIONS OCCUR)
CENTRAL FRANCE TO NORTHERN SWITZERLAND TO SOUTHERN GERMANY TO THE CZECH
REPUBLIC TO POLAND TO CENTRAL RUSSIA.
NEW ZELAND AND SOUTHEASTERN AUSTRALIA SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO SPOT PERIODS
OF ACTIVITY.
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The full astroalert can be found here: http://solar.spacew.com/pipermail/astroalerts/2005-September/000020.html
I have seen some nice aurora the last two nights, although we have had a lot of clouds, and yesterday I had a fever, so I only watched from the window. It's mostly clouded today, too. 🙁
Originally posted by angie88Here's a link especially for you (or other German-speaking people): http://www.meteoros.de/php/viewforum.php?f=1
I'd love to watch tonight, but I got a grand total of 3 and a half hours of sleep tonight (went to bed at 5 am after my party) and I have to get up at 6 (oh the horror) tomorrow because the school year begins now. But maybe tomorrow night 😉
If something is happening, you will hear about it there.
Originally posted by NordlysYeah, radio reception goes to pot during these solar storms, I
The sun has been very active lately, and the chances to see some aurora (borealis or australis, depending on where you are) at middle latitudes are good. Here's an excerpt from the astroalert of the Solar Terrestrial Dispatch ( www.spacew.com ):
------------------------------------------------------
MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY WARNING
Issued: 01:45 ...[text shortened]... yesterday I had a fever, so I only watched from the window. It's mostly clouded today, too. 🙁
am a ham, we are not so enthused over northern lights!
What does the term 'Lunar Interferance' refer to? new on on me.
Originally posted by sonhousefree guess from me:
Yeah, radio reception goes to pot during these solar storms, I
am a ham, we are not so enthused over northern lights!
What does the term 'Lunar Interferance' refer to? new on on me.
the light from the moon interfering with the visibility of the northern lights?
Originally posted by NordlysAh, I was thinking it was somehow involved with the moon interfering
"Lunar" refers to the moon ("luna" in Latin). You want as dark skies as possible for aurora watching. During a full moon, the aurora has to be much stronger to be visible.
with the solar storm itself, blocking it or something.
Originally posted by NordlysReced! I'm in NE Colorado . I was sitting out with the GF last night at her house and saw a glow on the horizon . It seemed the wrong way for city lights . I kept making the case that the city lights should be east , and the glow was north / NE . I asked if it was the northern lights , she and her neighbor said it couldn't be .
The sun has been very active lately, and the chances to see some aurora (borealis or australis, depending on where you are) at middle latitudes are good. Here's an excerpt from the astroalert of the Solar Terrestrial Dispatch ( www.spacew.com ):
------------------------------------------------------
MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY WARNING
Issued: 01:45 ...[text shortened]... yesterday I had a fever, so I only watched from the window. It's mostly clouded today, too. 🙁
This is going to be great , we're going camping in eastern Wyoming out in the middle of nowhere tonight . Should be able to see everything ! Thanks for the info .
Originally posted by Moldy CrowThere is a report from Colorado from last night on www.spacew.com:
Reced! I'm in NE Colorado . I was sitting out with the GF last night at her house and saw a glow on the horizon . It seemed the wrong way for city lights . I kept making the case that the city lights should be east , and the glow was north / NE . I asked if it was the northern lights , she and her neighbor said it couldn't be .
This is going to be g ...[text shortened]... out in the middle of nowhere tonight . Should be able to see everything ! Thanks for the info .
2005-09-11 09:07:00 UTC: N40.5 W104.5 - Briggsdale CO
Aurora was observed from 11pm to 3am local time. Peaked at 12am with rays to 60 degrees up and bright green coloration. Some faint curtains also observed. Around 2:30am, there were bright pulsations with some light purple and orange coloraton. Green by far was the most predominant color. This is by far the best viewing I've seen in the state of Colorado.
So yes, what you saw was almost certainly the aurora. Good luck for tonight!