OT - The Northern Lights are On Fire Right Now

Submitted by xtramelanin on

Mates,

For those who like such things, the northern lights are absolutely on fire right now up north.   Though there is a fairly bright half moon which is washing out the colors somewhat, the lights are covering nearly the entire northern half of the sky and flashing across the entire expanse.  If you live in a northern part of the state or country, go take a peek outside before turning in. 

Ray

June 22nd, 2015 at 11:57 PM ^

I'll look now.  And if there's nothing there, I'll also get a look after I lift the nosewheel of the Mooney in the early AM.

MGoRob

June 23rd, 2015 at 12:01 AM ^

Currently under a thunderstorm warning and tornado watch.  Not getting me outside.  Looking at the weather/cloud map, you'll have to be north of Houghton Lake to get a good view.

UMgradMSUdad

June 23rd, 2015 at 12:28 AM ^

On the local news here in Oklahoma City they were saying there's a chance we'll be able to see the Northern Lights this far south tonight.  Obviously this is quite unusual.  I do remember seeing then when camping out though just north of Flint on at least a few different occasions.

Pinky

June 23rd, 2015 at 12:29 AM ^

How do you start a thread like this and not take a picture?  Are we all just supposed to imagine what they look like?

denardogasm

June 23rd, 2015 at 1:08 AM ^

How long do good periods of viewing last typically? Like only a night or longer? I've never seen them and I'm headed to Copper Harbor on Friday. Would be awesome to see.

dracord

June 23rd, 2015 at 1:16 AM ^

Sometimes it will go all night, others it will be for just a few minutes. I followed this group on facebook and whenever there is a little something, people go crazy with the pictures. Photographs always look more greenish, but I could definitely see the glimmering white outside - looked almost like lightning flashes 

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/greatlakesaurorahunters/?fref=nf

xtramelanin

June 23rd, 2015 at 5:35 AM ^

i haven't looked at any sites to check on it, but historically you can get into a coronal ejection/giant sun spot and it can take a while to pass.  that somehow lights up our atmosphere (scientists aren't quite certain) and sometimes good viewing will go on for a few nights in a row. 

dracord

June 23rd, 2015 at 11:02 PM ^

This was shot on a Canon 7D with a 10-22mm wide angle lens. Set it on a tripod, turn ISO up a little bit, lowest F-stop you can (my lens goes to 3.5) and varying shutter times. I think I use 15-20 second shutter time. I adjusted the brightness down a little bit. Basically any camera with an adjustable shutter should get a decent picture

 

Here's another shot from St Paddy's Day