Skip to comments.
Astronomy Picture of the Day -- October Aurora in Prairie Skies
NASA ^
| October 05, 2013
| (see photo credit)
Posted on 10/05/2013 6:46:48 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Wind and spaceweather are transformed in this haunting night skyscape. The prairie windmill and colorful auroral display were captured on October 1, from central South Dakota, USA, as a good season for aurora hunters came with longer autumn nights. From green to rarer reddish hues, the northern lights are sparked by the geomagnetic storms caused by solar activity. These extend far above the cloud bank to altitudes well over 100 kilometers, against the backdrop of distant stars in the northern night. Visual double star Mizar, marking the middle of the Big Dipper's handle, is easy to spot at the left edge of the frame. The dipper's North Celestial Pole pointers Merak and Dubhe line up vertically near picture center.
(Excerpt) Read more at asterisk.apod.com ...
TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; bigdipper; dubhe; merak; mizar; science
1
posted on
10/05/2013 6:46:48 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...
2
posted on
10/05/2013 6:48:05 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(It's no coincidence that some "conservatives" echo the hard left.)
To: SunkenCiv
FABULOUS photo!
To: SunkenCiv
Shouldn’t the picture show the message about a gov shutdown?!? :-)
To: SunkenCiv
5
posted on
10/05/2013 7:07:04 PM PDT
by
mylife
(Ted Cruz understands the law, and he does not fear the unlawful.)
To: SunkenCiv
To: SunkenCiv
Just amazing, the colors are stunning. Red is the rarest I think.
7
posted on
10/05/2013 7:11:04 PM PDT
by
seeker41
(take your country back by whatever means necessary)
To: SunkenCiv
Thanks for the new desktop.
8
posted on
10/05/2013 7:43:02 PM PDT
by
mylife
(Ted Cruz understands the law, and he does not fear the unlawful.)
To: It Aint Easy; mylife; caveat emptor; seeker41
Shouldnt the picture show the message about a gov shutdown?!? :-)
Heh, I will be trying out this temporary e-z post template reflecting the current backup (which is obviously more Obamanation BS). Thanks all.
9
posted on
10/06/2013 12:03:46 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(It's no coincidence that some "conservatives" echo the hard left.)
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson