Aurora update

by Brian Harvey
Brad Franzella
Richard Crisp
Jim Feldhouse
Pierre St. Hilaire


Wed, 29 Oct 2003 00:35:33 -0800 Brian Harvey
Oh my, unless I'm mistaken, I'm getting some beautiful red glows right mow where there is NO city lights!!!!!!!!! AWESOME!

Wed, 29 Oct 2003 00:37:29 -0800 Brian Harvey
Oh lordy, this is REALLY COOL!!!!!!!!!!

Wed, 29 Oct 2003 00:57:19 -0800 Brad Franzella
Major Aurora outburst... bright red glow in the North up to about 45 degrees altitude (above Polaris). It began around 12:30 and moved slowly in east to west and west to east directions and gradually diminished. Now at 12:55 it is barely visible; but it should be back! :) no sleep tonight for me!

Brad in Chico (40 degrees North)

Wed, 29 Oct 2003 01:17:20 -0800 Richard Crisp
I just came in from a 20 minute sky observing session.

I really don't see any auroral activity up to the north to overhead. It does appear that the higher declination portion of the sky might be a bit reddish, but that could be my imagination.

Whatever it is it isn't much from Castro Valley. I tend to think that the prediction of tomorrow is more accurate.

Wed, 29 Oct 2003 01:29:19 -0800 Richard Crisp
it is pretty subtle. sort of reminds me of a dim searchlight flashing by momentarily.

I am not seeing any prominent color. it seems pale and "galactic". Best described is greyish.

since it is just ramping up, it may get more interesting as the night wears on.

Wed, 29 Oct 2003 01:33:37 -0800 Brian Harvey
Seems to have died down. I was able to get some pics on my digital camers towards the tail end.

Wed, 29 Oct 2003 11:23:10 -0800 (PST) Jim Feldhouse
this matches what I saw, from light pollution central.
I only saw it once or twice, out of the corner of my eye.
I wasn't even sure, but Richard's description matches exactly.
a brief search light.
I saw this twice, on seperate occasions, almost straight up curiously.

Thu, 30 Oct 2003 14:52:53 -0800 Pierre St. Hilaire
The aurora was visible yesterday from Lake Sonoma from 9 pm until 11:30 pm. It was mostly a faint greenish glow with sometimes a few rays extending to 30 deg. and some shimmering red patches. Nothing like the day before.

By the way, fat chance if you try to view the aurora from anywhere in the Bay area: there is simply too much light pollution. You have to do the drive to a very dark sky location. I'm heading back tonight to LS to take more shots if weather allows.