This is very cool! The Aurora Borealis is supposed to be visible

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

to latitudes of 40 degrees north and up. NYC is at 40. :) Hope it's clear enough to see!

http://reference.aol.com/space/skyandtelescope?id=20050914170109990001

As reported on AOL
Strong Northern Lights Possible Next Few Nights
Displays Could Shimmer Over Much of North America
By THE EDITORS OF SKY & TELESCOPE



Solar specialists report that a vivid display of auroras (the "northern lights") may occur tonight across much of North America. A large and active sunspot group in the middle of the Sun's disk erupted twice Tuesday, and at least one of these explosions propelled a powerful burst of ionized matter toward Earth (see related story, 'Big Sunspot Group Keeps Spawning Flares, Auroras'). "Space-weather" forecasters estimate a 70 percent chance of severe geomagnetic activity when that pulse arrives. Spaceweather.com reports that the pulse arrived early this morning, Sept. 15.

Even though the Moon is nearly full, skywatchers at all latitudes could see auroras overhead after nightfall. Those living at latitudes north of 40° have the best chance of seeing a colorful auroral display, and observing conditions should improve near midnight and thereafter. But curtains of shimmering light can appear at any time over the next few nights.


Auroras occur when protons and electrons from Earth's magnetosphere, triggered by solar activity, cascade into Earth's upper atmosphere. These energetic particles collide with the thin gas roughly 100 miles up, causing it to glow like the gas in a fluorescent tube. Most auroras are greenish white, though strong displays can be red, pink, or blue.

Continued at above link. :)


http://cdn.channel.aol.com/channels/07/06/43299ec6-00202-06122-400cb8e1

[u4ic]

1. Dang!

It's cloudy here tonight...x(

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

4. The article said it might be visible for the next few nights, so hopefully

it will clear up by then! :)

[u4ic]

8. I hope so, too!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

10. u4ic

Joining you!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :hi:

[u4ic]

11. With your good wishes

I bet we'll have a wonderful show tomorrow night! :hug:

[Debi]

2. I grew up on Montana and we say the norther lights all the time

absolutely beautiful!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

3. Living where I have in NY and do now in NY, I have NEVER seen them and

have wanted to for years. It's partially cloudy here, and I hope that doesn't get in the way. The good news is that the articles said that it might go on for a couple of days. Meanwhile, my kids are psyched up too!

[Debi]

6. can you drive to a park or somewhere that there aren't so many lights?

It's easier to see when there isn't any buildings/streetlights etc.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

9. Actually it gets pretty dark here, and I keep going outside every now

and then, and it's not yet visibile. I live in a northern suburb of the city. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Left Is Write]

5. I saw the Northern Lights when I was in college...a bunch of us

were in the dorm lounge when someone came running in to tell about it. We all rushed outside; the lights were gorgeous.

[Arugula Latte]

7. Where are the Flock of Seagulls when you need them?

"Aurora Borealis comes in viiiiieeeew
Aurora comes in viiiiiiieeeew ....."

[CanuckAmok]

12. Great! I'm going to steam some hams and watch.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

13. Yeah, of course... the first cloudy nights we have had

in the NE in weeks.

Figures.