Aurora Borealis

[Lovelyness]

Did anyone see the Northern Lights last night? Loads of people from my village in the South East have amazing photos from last night, but I couldn't see anything from my house sadly. Apparently, they are going to be visible again tonight so I'm going out in the garden tonight!

 

[Lovelyness]

Apparently you can’t really see them with the naked eye The colours can be seen through a camera or phone, especially in night mode. My phone sadly doesn’t have night mode on the camera.

 

[Maz]

Ooh I didn't know about this! I've always wanted to see them but thought you had to go to the north of Scotland or Iceland. How strange that you can't see them with the naked eye. Would binoculars do it? OH has a good pair. I have a camera but not sure what is meant by night mode. At night you can set it up on a tripod to have a slow shutter release or leave it wide open for a long time (but that is just for star trails really). Mind you it's quite misty here today - does it need to be a clear sky? I will try and get in the garden to see it tonight - any particular time?

 

[Maz]

According to this it says after 10.30pm. And more easily seen where there's no light pollution. Well it's pitch dark where we are - out in the sticks! So if the sky is clear tonight ......................... Apparently it might not be such a strong effect tonight though.

Spectacular Northern Lights stun UK

A rare solar storm made the aurora borealis visible across the UK, including across the south.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Coco61]

We were unaware of this but would have stayed up last night for this chance of a lifetime. Our daughter sent us a couple of photos taken from their garden. Amazing.
Will give it a go tonight even with the reduced chance. Astonishingly it was seen in many European countries and even China

 

[Maz]

It is isn't it? I read that too. Hoping it's not cloudy tonight

 

[Lovelyness]

I’ve read that the best time to see them is just after sunset or just before sunrise. However, most of the photos I have seen were taken around midnight. I was looking out then , but couldn’t really see anything…apparently the sky just looks greyish to the naked eye…I may well have been looking right at them lol. Apparently you have to look at the horizon to the North …my view to the north is mainly blocked by trees and houses so my best chance may well be from the upstairs window, given that I don’t fancy walking or driving to an open space at midnight! I’m going to have a go with my DSLR this evening. I only found out about them last night because of posts on FB, so I’ll keep an eye out on social media this evening, and if I start seeing more posts, I’ll go and take a look

 

[Lovelyness]

We were unaware of this but would have stayed up last night for this chance of a lifetime. Our daughter sent us a couple of photos taken from their garden. Amazing.
Will give it a go tonight even with the reduced chance. Astonishingly it was seen in many European countries and even China

And all over America too

 

[Lovelyness]

It’s a toss up between Aurora Borealis and Eurovision tonight

 

[Lovelyness]

According to this it says after 10.30pm. And more easily seen where there's no light pollution. Well it's pitch dark where we are - out in the sticks! So if the sky is clear tonight ......................... Apparently it might not be such a strong effect tonight though.

Spectacular Northern Lights stun UK

A rare solar storm made the aurora borealis visible across the UK, including across the south.

www.bbc.co.uk

A friend of mine lives in Cumbria and got amazing photos last night. If you have a clear night, you should be able to get great view of them as you have so much open space around you. We have a lot of light pollution from the nearby m1, M25 and from London…even so, people around here had some really decent photos.

 

[Maz]

It’s a toss up between Aurora Borealis and Eurovision tonight

Not much of a choice there then! We do watch a bit of Eurovision sometimes but it can be torture! Also these days the winner is usually well predicted from the start!

Horizon to the North could be tricky here - can only see the horizon to the west/south west. The north is blocked by hills (although maybe the top of the hills is still a horizon?).

 

[Lovelyness]

Not much of a choice there then! We do watch a bit of Eurovision sometimes but it can be torture! Also these days the winner is usually well predicted from the start!

Horizon to the North could be tricky here - can only see the horizon to the west/south west. The north is blocked by hills (although maybe the top of the hills is still a horizon?).

Probably a good chance of seeing them over the top of the hills. I agree with you on Eurovision, but it can be quite funny too! given a choice, I’d rather look out for AB!

 

[Coco61]

It was photographed over a house roof at midnight last night so I doubt distant hill tops will be a problem!

 

[Maz]

With big trees in the way!

 

[Lovelyness]

According to a local weather forecaster on FB, the AB action is looking like it will be better than last night!

“The level of geomagnetic activity has kicked upto level 9!!!This is bigger than last night! ” (Chiltern weather alerts)

It says that it will most likely be best between about 10.30 pm and 2 am ( so plenty of time to watch the Eurovision entries first lol )

edit: I’m hoping they’ll be good at about 10.30 pm so I can go to bed lol

 

[Maz]

I am struggling to stay awake now ha ha. After being up and about since the flu, I tend to crash about 4pm and then struggle to stay awake all evening. But I will try! If I don't get out to photograph it, maybe I can see it from the bedroom window.

 

[Lovelyness]

I am struggling to stay awake now ha ha. After being up and about since the flu, I tend to crash about 4pm and then struggle to stay awake all evening. But I will try! If I don't get out to photograph it, maybe I can see it from the bedroom window.

Ah yes...you might be better off getting some sleep

 

[Maz]

Well I've had plenty of sleep the last couple of nights so intend to stay awake - just rather weary

It's looking quite misty and Avalon-ish here at the moment - in the dusk. If there's anything to see I suspect it'll be when it's dark.

 

[Lovelyness]

I'm keeping a close eye on social media to see if there's any activity...not yet! Apparently, there's been another solar flare, so AB may still be around tomorrow too.

 

[Maz]

Keep us updated!