MuckleJoannie Posted August 5, 2010 Report Share Posted August 5, 2010 Why have the Northern Lights moved south? The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are caused by charged gas particles - that flow away from the Sun as a "solar wind" - interacting with the Earth's magnetic field. This solar wind has its own magnetic field, which can "drag away" the Earth's magnetic field lines, disconnecting them from our planet. Eventually though, the field lines "snap back" into the continuous loop that exits one of the Earth's magnetic poles and re-enters at the other. This snapping back or "reconnection" means that particles that were in the solar wind are pushed into the Earth's atmosphere. The charged particles "excite" gases in our atmosphere and make make them glow - just like gas in a fluorescent tube. The colours depend on the type of gas - a red or green glow is oxygen and the blue and purple colours are produced by nitrogen. The huge ejection of charged particles from the Sun on 3 August disconnected more of the Earth's magnetic field lines and when these snapped back to Earth the resulting auroras were visible much further south than usual. Dr Colin Forsyth from the UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory explained that the boundary between "open" (or disconnected) field lines and the rest of the Earth's magnetic field is "where aurora are most likely to occur". And when more field lines are disconnected, that boundary moves south. On Wednesday night stunning light displays were seen over parts of northern Europe, including Germany and Denmark, but so far scientists say there has not been "sufficient activity" over southern parts of the UK to produce a light show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zlogged Posted October 11, 2010 Report Share Posted October 11, 2010 The lights are out tonight - a mild but pleasent display in progress... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GypsyScy Posted October 11, 2010 Report Share Posted October 11, 2010 Just been out for a walk to see them, never seen them before, brilliant!! Was mild to start but then kicked off into an amazing display Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyKipper Posted October 11, 2010 Report Share Posted October 11, 2010 I must need glasses, south sky is brighter than the north Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marooned in Maywick Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Anybody manage any pics from last night? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sudden Stop Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s11/suddenstop/PICT0013.jpghttp://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s11/suddenstop/PICT0007.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trooter Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll278/Gorwad/IMG_2507.jpghttp://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll278/Gorwad/IMG_2506.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GypsyScy Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 How do you capture them with the camera? Had my digital out last night and tried a few different settings but nothing was clear, Will take my SLR next time I reckon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trooter Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 You'll need a tripod for a start, then a camera which can be set manually, preferably an SLR. Use a wide aperture (low f number) and set for 30 seconds. Best to use a remote or self timer so that you don't get any camera shake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyKipper Posted October 13, 2010 Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 WOW, jeez I was out same time and didn't see anything like that next time then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trooter Posted October 16, 2010 Report Share Posted October 16, 2010 There was a solar flare earlier tonight which has created a bit of activity, but haven't seen Northern lights after spending last couple of hours looking, but witnessed a fireball a little while ago, very bright, very fast and looked very close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibber Posted October 17, 2010 Report Share Posted October 17, 2010 Saw one too in Aberdeen about 2 am, best I've ever seen with a blue glow about it and it looked really close too, well under 500ft it seemed but its hard to guage how high these things are. Was expecting a bang after it disappeared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogling Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 Gemenid meteor shower supposed to be peaking at 2am tonight. Fingers crossed it bides clear... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longdog Posted December 14, 2010 Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 was watching them last night up near Dales Lee. Plenty of single meteors when I was there around 9pm but never managed to catch them on camera. Going to try again tonight if it's clear. Won't be up at 2am though LOL Lunar eclipse 8.16am on 21st December too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crofter Posted December 14, 2010 Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 I had a look last night about midnight, saw a few meteors (3) in about 10 minutes, but also saw a moonbow, very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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