The aurora could be visible here tonight. Maybe.
From NASA: "This pictures combines two images from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured on Jan. 7, 2013. Together, the images show the location of a giant sunspot group on the sun, and the position of an X-class flare that erupted at 1:32 p.m. EST." Also: Oooooh.
Something to keep an eye out for overnight Thursday-Friday: the aurora borealis -- you know, the Northern Lights.
To completely oversimplify things: The sun made a big burp the other day, and particles from that burp are streaming toward the earth. When they hit the Earth's magnetic field, there's a light show. [NASA] [Space Weather]
There are projections indicating that we have a not-terrible chance of seeing some sort of aurora tonight. This forecast -- from the University of Alaska Fairbanks -- indicates the aurora could be visible near the horizon at latitudes as far south as Cleveland. And Accuweather has our area on the border of fair/poor for viewing.
So, overnight, have a look to the north near the horizon. It might appear as a green or reddish glow.
photo: NASA/SDO
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Comments
This is almost as AMAZING as AOA is to me!
WOW, love this stuff, KEEP IT COMING!
... said mg on Jan 9, 2014 at 12:26 PM | link
Back in the early 90's, my best friend lived in Mooers, NY... last exit off the Northway a stones throw from the Canadian border. It is flat farm country out there, nearest neighbors being a looong walk away in the winter. One winter night I was up visiting, and she had gone outside to let the dog run for a few minutes. I heard her yell, "Lilly! Get out here... hurry!" I thought she had hurt herself and went running... only to come upon the most spectacular sight in my life when I opened the door. "What is it?" I said, staring at the sky with my jaw on the ground. "Northern Lights." she said. Followed by, "No matter how many times I see it now, it still doesn't get old."
I'll never forget it.
... said Lillywhite on Jan 9, 2014 at 1:54 PM | link
Hrm... so, maybe I should go somewhere sorta dark tonight... with a clear horizon... =D And take a camera if I do...
... said Andy on Jan 9, 2014 at 2:15 PM | link
I saw it last night around 9:30-10:00 PM from Cohoes. Not really a spectacular show, just a few faint streaks in the sky. Cool to be able to see it though.
... said Mergh on Jan 10, 2014 at 9:18 AM | link