h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We had a 'mars spotting' thread some time ago. Now I hear there is a very good chance of being able to see the northern lights from the UK. Anyone had any luck? I'll be out there every night, as this is something I've always wanted to see.

Haven't heard anything specific recently, but someone, somewhere on this site will be able to direct you to the'aurora watch' link on H2G2's astronomy page. I could do it but i'm feelin' too darn lazy today

We usually only get a few hours warning though -when someone spots a mass coronal ejection from the sun heading our way. So we've probably missed it.

In general, October/November is considered a good time to see them, and we are just leaving solar maximum, so get yourself out somewhere dark, and you never know...

It was supposed to be on Friday. Look for the Ask h2g2 thread "Brace Yourselves". I watched but didn't see anything.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3210901.stm

That was what it was about, big solar flares

F19585?thread=333713 is the 'Brace yourselves' conversation

Saw them out of the window of my plane when flying back to the uk from the USA, the plane crossed the arctic circle (according to the little picture thingy) and I looked out the window (everyone else was asleep, I can't sleep on planes) and there they were. 'Oooooh, spooky' I thought

Super cool!

There is currently a large solar flare thing going on
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3221287.stm
The article says it'll probably take a couple of days to reach the earth.

It would be rather nice to be able to see an aurora from home and not have to go a long way for it (still planing to that do some day and only a teensy bit jelous of those who have seen one )

It was on my 'things to do before I'm thirty' list, glad that now I don't have to book an expensive weekend away to achieve it...

We had a few clear nights over the weekend but I didn't see anything, despite the fact that the Earth was buffetted by a solar storm. Seeing auroras where most of us live depends a lot on the orientation of the magnetic field. However there is a *monster* flare on the way, so we could be in luck if the skies stay clear and the magnetic field is oriented properly at the time.

Woodpigeon

So where can see it and where can't? Does it just go round the whole globe? Do you have to spend all night looking skywards?

Normally midnight is a good time apparently - I have never seen them myself. Get away from light sources (eg street lighting) if possible. If it is really big (and this one is), it will be patently visible - you should look northwards in the sky. If you are below 40 degrees latitude, don't bother going out as you will be too far south.

Oh, and clouds won't help!

Also, if you check the NASA website, http://www.spaceweather.com you will get an immediate update which might help.

Woodpigeon

Darn, darn, darn!!

It seems like as if the storm has subsided - people in the US got a great view this morning, but things appear to have quietened up since.

I'm still going to poke my head out tonight to see if I can see anything.

Woodpigeon

It's subsided? Worth me setting my alarm to get up at midnight?

Does that mean it's just blown itself out?

It just passed us by at 2 million miles per hour.

Setting your alarm for midnight? What time do you go to bed?

There is a lot of stuff happening on the sun at the moment, so I'm going to be checking anyway!

Woodpigeon

I aim for 10, but I'm so tired it'd take stampeding elephants to wake me up! I'll keep an eye out anyway

Well, I got a message from a friend in the Western Isles of Scotland. Seems there was a great display last night.

Torrential rain here down south, of course.

And according to AuroraWatch UK, based in Lanaster, they saw a green band of aurora through the clouds last night at 8pm http://www.dcs.lancs.ac.uk/iono/aurorawatch/
I'm only 60 miles or so further south here so maybe there'd have been a chance but there was total cloud cover here
The storm is possibly still ongoing so I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

There are reports on the internet newsgroups (uk.sci.astro) of auroral sightings as far south as the south coast in england.
I have been wondering if I saw something last night when walking home and there was a very bright greeny/bluey light behind the clouds over the NE/E horizon but wasn't sure at all as I thought it might also be some very large floodlights in use. (it certainly wasn't the normal orange streetlight glow reflecting from the clouds).

H was out last night, as he was a little worse for wear this morning, I doubt he saw anything, but shall ask when he gets home.

However the reflection from London's lights would probably drown out any aurora

Saw them last night in the Bathgate Hills West Lothian.

Bootiful they were