[petuniasevan]

Perfect timing! A solar flare erupted yesterday, and may produce aurorae in the wee hours starting now (find a dark sky location and look north/northeast after moonset).

Astronomy Fun Fact:

The light of the aurora is caused by charged particles from the sun exciting atoms ("ionization") of various gases in the upper atmosphere ("ionosphere"). The colors depend on the chemical element being ionized. This is very similar to a neon light or fluorescent tube in principle.

Yes you might see aurorae TONIGHT! Here's an address to visit: Solar Terrestrial Dispatch/Spaceweather. Be sure to read it - the aurorae may be seen as far south as southern Georgia.

Get on the APOD PING list!

[petuniasevan]

APOD PING!

[glock rocks]

looks like moonset will be in two hours. i think i'll look at the solar page for auroral activity before i climb up on the platform above the garage to see... cool. thanks for hte ping.

[RightWhale]

O! Canada!

I'm off in the gray area to the left of Canada. Magnetic north is roughly 29 degrees east of polar north from here. It's fun to see houses built by compass here; they think they are aligned north-south and are quite proud of their carpentry skill!