Submitted by MoBambaNYC t3_11hkhg0 in EarthPorn
sisment t1_jau1cph wrote
Reply to comment by MoBambaNYC in Aurora over Alaska 2/27/2023 [2807x3656] [OC] by MoBambaNYC
Where is this? Heading to Fairbanks in a week and hoping I see something like this!
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jau2i47 wrote
This is about 5 hours south of Fairbanks near Whittier. But there are plenty of spots in Fairbanks to catch the lights if the solar data is good
sisment t1_jau3dbl wrote
Thanks! It was kp 7 on 2/27 right? I think the nights I’ll be there it will be kp 2 :(. Do you think I’ll see anything?
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jau3qme wrote
Yup. The Kp really isn’t a good way to forecast the aurora as it’s a measure of previous activity. We like to look at solar wind speeds and the bz. When the BZ is negative with an elevated solar wind there will be aurora.
I’m an aurora guide in Alaska and have seen it every night I have gone looking for it this season. As long as the skies are clear and you can see stars you have a chance. Download the space weather live app
Tswiggle t1_jauz130 wrote
An aurora guide? I've never heard of it but it's already my dream job.
elevenhundred t1_jaxwbxc wrote
I've worked as an Aurora guide. Be prepared for long nights, driving in the dark, not having a real social life, losing out on way too many days of skiing, and basically never seeing the sun.
Tswiggle t1_jaxzl60 wrote
Okay, fair enough. Seems way less awesome now.
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jayc05l wrote
That is all true. It’s definitely a grind. December and January are the toughest. But The bonus is I only work 8 months a year
[deleted] t1_jawny8q wrote
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Ruralraan t1_javhrj7 wrote
Are they as vibrant so far up north as they look? We recently could see them here in northern Germany, but they weren't directly above us, but far away. They looked more like fog banks that twinkled sometimes far out at sea, and if you didn't know what to look for, you'd overlook them. They only looked a bit more colourful on photographes, and vibrant only when the photograph was reworked. To me in reality they didn't even look as greenish nor lilac as in the 2nd, non enhanced picture (yes the quality is bad, I shot it with a cellphone without tripod). But I heard the more north you go, the more vibrant the colors look.
fe-fi-fo-throwaway t1_javs34m wrote
Saw a few in Iceland but they weren’t perceptible as auroras with the naked eye. Saw one the same night as this picture in Seattle and they were noticeably green to the naked eye and brighter on a camera.
supermarkise t1_javzrt4 wrote
The bright ones absolutely are as bright as they look here on the picture. You'll have to be used to the low light levels, but I absolutely saw something like this image. It's much cooler in reality because the structure won't be as washed out and it'll be moving, sometimes really fast.
fe-fi-fo-throwaway t1_jawy2ny wrote
That’s pretty neat! I’d love to see bright auroras like the image one day, hopefully in other colors too. Regardless, it’s such a magical experience.
[deleted] t1_jawt267 wrote
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PMinisterOfMalaysia t1_jav5n5e wrote
>have seen it every night I have gone looking for it this season
What does looking for it involve other than going outside?
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jav6o15 wrote
Clear skies. No clouds. As little moon light and ambient as possible. And a few other factors. But mostly being away from light and clouds
PMinisterOfMalaysia t1_jb3hh7x wrote
Thank you! Downloaded the app you recomeded elsewhere & am hoping to see them in Sitka tonight
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jb3hqsq wrote
Best of luck to you. Should be pretty active tonight. Look for a negative -bz.
PMinisterOfMalaysia t1_jb3lkso wrote
Since the bz isn't negative currently, should I be monitoring it for a slope down? Ref. image below, thanks!
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jb3nf5z wrote
Yup. When the bz is negative that’s your best bet for aurora.
eolai t1_jawaa2w wrote
What counts as elevated for solar wind?
Every time I try to dig into aurora forecasts and reports, I just end up getting overwhelmed by all the different metrics. I wish one of the services would just do a "heads up, likely aurora tonight or tomorrow" notification, but instead it's all elevated Kp this and solar flare that.
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jaxvw3t wrote
Anything over 500 for solar wind speed. 20 density. It’s really not too complicated once you figure it out a little bit but at first all the scientific lingo can def be a bit overwhelming
reddog323 t1_javy581 wrote
I love the magenta hues, and I’ve never seen those before. Have those been more prevalent lately?
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jaw3hvu wrote
That specific night there reds were really intense., probably the reddest I’ve see. This is caused by denser solar winds creating aurora at really high atmospheric levels. Usually below the reds is where the whites form, so often you’ll get all sorts of reds/pinks.
yohoob t1_jay3nr0 wrote
I want to plan a trip to see something like this in person. What do you recommend for a trip to see this? Pick some nights and hope it shows?
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jay5p8o wrote
Basically it’s a total crap shoot. You wanna plan around a new moon if possible and elevated solar data.
blackoutxxxxxxxx t1_jauzekj wrote
I see aurora KP2 all the time, even bursts across the sky. and then sometimes it’s KP5 and I see nothing. it depends on a lot of factors
[deleted] t1_javrslo wrote
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robinhoodhere t1_jauwwx2 wrote
Flights are so expensive for a spontaneous trip right now 😔
UT728 t1_javl26d wrote
Portage.
Of-Quartz t1_jawukcf wrote
Hijacking this thread to ask how Anchorage is? High high chance the spouse is getting a job there. What’s your favorite and most hated part?
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jaxw0yu wrote
Anchorage is like any other medium sized city in America. Except it’s more beautiful. Lol. Feel free to message me directly if you want to know any specifics
elevenhundred t1_jaxvvz2 wrote
Portage Lake and that's Maynard Peak in the center.
MoBambaNYC OP t1_jay0mlp wrote
Bingo !
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