September's Aurora

[pokerfan]

Image Credit & Copyright: Yuichi Takasaka / TWAN / www.blue-moon.ca

Explanation: September's equinox arrives today at 0905 UT. As the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading south, spring begins in the southern hemisphere and autumn in the north. And though the seasonal connection is still puzzling, both spring and autumn bring an increase in geomagnetic storms. So as northern nights grow longer, the equinox also heralds the arrival of a good season for viewing aurora. Recorded earlier this month, these curtains of September's shimmering green light sprawl across a gorgeous night skyscape. In the foreground lies Hidden Lake Territorial Park near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Calm water reflects the aurora, with bright star trails peering through the mesmerizing sky glow. Of course, shining at altitudes of 100 kilometers or so, planet Earth's auroras are visible from space.

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110923.html

[closeupready]

1. Having seen a similar display as a teenager in the 80's, without animation it's hard to understand

how mesmerizing and overwhelming it can be to watch these colorful lights dance around when the aurora is active. K&R

[pokerfan]

4. I was once in the middle of BC

for the annual Perseid meteor shower. Very remote location only reachable by canoe. No civilization for miles in any direction. Once it got dark, which was about midnight at that almost arctic latitude we started watching for meteors. The aurora put on a show instead, lighting up the sky from north to south not entirely unlike the picture in the OP.

[closeupready]

5. Oh, I am envious - that sounds like such fun.

:hi:

[pokerfan]

6. At least we had good weather

It can be iffy for a high mountain lake in the middle of BC.

[dtexdem]

2. Well, that aurora is no bore-ealis.

;-)

[VWolf]

3. "You're a roaring borealis"

All apologies to Rhea Perlman.

[MisterP]

7. just as long as they're not filming scenes for "The Subtle Knife" under it...