Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jan 9, 2014 11:43:01 GMT -6
Possible Aurora Borealis Visible in the Chicagoland area
09 January 2014
09 January 2014
A massive Coronal Mass Ejection event has occurred on the Sun within the past two days and heading our way. Sunspot group AR1944 has burped out a high energy proton event - and is the largest Sunspot group in this present solar cycle...it's huge!
www.spaceweather.com/
www.spaceweather.com/
The matter wave will slam into Earth's upper magnetic fields tonight, (09 January 2014), at 1.6 Million MPH...and could very well produce a nice light show for the Midwest. The current Auroral Oval is dipping well into the southern United States - indicating a very strong eruption...
www.spaceweather.com/
www.spaceweather.com/
The Chicago area has witnessed auroral activity as recently as November 2012 when a large CME event occurred. During that event, I observed a subtle reddish hue straight over head that faded in and out and this present event might display the same. Although the light's will come from the north, our urban light pollution will wipe out most of the delicate curtains and fingers of fluorescent glow.
The Chicago Astronomer's advice is to get away from direct lighting and best observed from a protected and shaded location. Look straight up, (as the light pollution muck is lessened there) and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Try to notice colors that should not be there and are moving, such as subtle reds and greens - and attempt to follow the light stream as far north as you can. The palette of colors will fade in and out, as the charged particles interact with the magnetic field, sometimes brightening dramatically for a moment...and then fade back. Those with cameras are encouraged to photograph the event with wide fields, high ISOs and experiment with time exposures.
The weather for the Chicago area calls for cloudy conditions during this semi-rare event, but you never know when the skies will clear. Let us know if you happen to catch the Northern lights from anywhere you might be.
The Chicago Astronomer's advice is to get away from direct lighting and best observed from a protected and shaded location. Look straight up, (as the light pollution muck is lessened there) and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Try to notice colors that should not be there and are moving, such as subtle reds and greens - and attempt to follow the light stream as far north as you can. The palette of colors will fade in and out, as the charged particles interact with the magnetic field, sometimes brightening dramatically for a moment...and then fade back. Those with cameras are encouraged to photograph the event with wide fields, high ISOs and experiment with time exposures.
The weather for the Chicago area calls for cloudy conditions during this semi-rare event, but you never know when the skies will clear. Let us know if you happen to catch the Northern lights from anywhere you might be.