|
|
Post by Flashpoint on Oct 29, 2001 0:00:57 GMT -5
I'd like to start one of my "aurora obsession" threads over here, like the one on the bt board. (don't know how many still lurk around there) . Very doubtful any will ever actually be my own photos (someday, hopefully!). But maybe it'll help provide some celestial inspiration. I'm posting this one again because I can't stop looking at it!  --Flashpoint (Matthew Craig) |
|
|
|
Post by luceluna on Oct 29, 2001 3:50:55 GMT -5
i think i just got all giddy  i feel like an evening walk tonight...  |
|
|
|
Post by Flashpoint on Oct 29, 2001 10:18:33 GMT -5
It's a good thing I don't live way up north (or way down south). I'd never get any sleep knowing I could be missing this. These are from last night:    --Flashpoint (Matthew Craig) |
|
|
|
Post by Mommar on Oct 29, 2001 10:42:35 GMT -5
You like that shiz just a bit too much, me thinks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flashpoint on Oct 29, 2001 12:26:43 GMT -5
Yes, but I can think of worse things to be fixated on. ;D <br>
--Flashpoint (Matthew Craig)
|
|
|
|
Post by Poeticsiren on Oct 29, 2001 19:22:34 GMT -5
HOLY CRAP IS THAT GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMSWEETGOODNESS
Matt...keep posting that stuff....reminds me of living in Maine. The Northern Lights were breathtaking!
That's so cool
At first I thought you meant auras as in the spiritual aura around a person...but this is amazing! sweet!
L.
|
|
|
|
Post by luceluna on Nov 1, 2001 6:39:06 GMT -5
more pictures please, Matt! ;D Speaking of northern lights, has anyone read the book of the same title by Phillip Pullman? it won the Carnegie Medal, and is the first part of a three part series. It is the most gorgeous, enthralling fantasy i've read (and i usually HATE fantasy writing), partly because it's so grounded in reality. Pullman's imagination is extrordinarily fertile, and the reading experience is utterly sensory. My copy of Northern Lights is signed by the author (he came to a fete at my school in England... *reminisces*), and it's partly set in Oxford, where i used to live, so obviously it has my seal of approval anyway...  the phenomena play a large part in the book, too ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Flashpoint on Nov 1, 2001 8:29:50 GMT -5
No problem... any excuse to go browsing for more. ;D
That novel sounds interesting, Dan. I'll definitely have to check that out sometime.
Now let's see what photos I can dig up..
--Flashpoint (Matthew Craig)
|
|
|
|
Post by Flashpoint on Nov 1, 2001 11:00:30 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Flashpoint on Nov 5, 2001 21:19:52 GMT -5
Grrrr.. I don't know if anything is actually going on right now (because its effing cloudy!) There's supposedly a MAJOR geomagnetic storm in progress and people as far south as southern California have supposedly seen some bright auroras. If you guys have a clear view and the time (and are on the dark side of the planet ) you might check outside every now and then. --Flashpoint (Matthew Craig) |
|
|
|
Post by luceluna on Nov 5, 2001 21:30:47 GMT -5
wow, sounds kickass. we just has a heavy rain shower here, but now it's sunny again...  .... the nice fresh breeze and moody clouds are retreating... and my headache is coming back...  is there any aurora activity in Australia, Matt? i know here in Canberra we have amazing sunsets and colour washes in the evening,but night is usually pretty black... |
|
|
|
Post by Flashpoint on Nov 5, 2001 22:06:12 GMT -5
I am by no means an expert, but yeah, Australia does see Aurora activity. From what I've heard its rather rare. I'm pretty sure Canberra is far enough south to see them during a strong storm. <br>
--Flashpoint (Matthew Craig)
|
|
|
|
Post by Poeticsiren on Nov 6, 2001 21:09:27 GMT -5
hey guys! my roommate thinks she saw them last night! she said she saw a red streak in the sky! that's so cool! i was out, but i wish i could have seen them too! Matt-what causes these beautiful things anyway? I want to know! L. |
|
|
|
Post by Flashpoint on Nov 6, 2001 23:22:47 GMT -5
I'll try to not ramble on too much, but here goes. <br>
I guess that in the most basic sense auroras are caused by interactions between the sun's magnetic field and that of the earth. <br>
The sun is constantly emitting a stream of high-energy particles. These ions tear at the magnetic field around the earth - warping it and causing it to trail away from the sun.
The earth's magnetic field manages to deflect the vast majority of these particles - but some become trapped in it instead. They are accelerated by the geomagnetic field toward the earth's poles. As they plunge toward earth they collide with atoms in the atmosphere and energize them, causing the release of light and heat. <br>
Under normal circumstances this happens only in the extreme north or south. If the solar wind intensifies (due to a flare ect) then the earth's magnetic field can be thrown into a state of flux. When this happens more ions than usual can be trapped, and the ones that are often penetrate deeper into the geomagnetic field - which allows the aurora events to be seen outside of extreme latitudes.
Auroras are literally the visual manifestation of the Sun touching the Earth. And now that I think about it - that's just a very cool way of looking at it.
--Flashpoint (Matthew Craig)
|
|
|
|
Post by Ariela on Nov 7, 2001 2:39:53 GMT -5
The red streak was a nebula, supposedly, at least according to the local TV station.
I LOVE THESE PICS!
|
|
.... the nice fresh breeze and moody clouds are retreating... and my headache is coming back... 