North America & the Aurora Borealis tonight

[Manfred M]

If weather conditions permit, we might get a display of the Aurora a lot further south than usual.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/northe...ight-1.2490272

I'm planning to head out of town after sundown and hoping for a view. The camera and tripod are coming along for sure.

[tbob]

Manfred: you may be interested in subscribing to this. The University of Alaska sends out an email alert if the auroral activity will be high (I think it's four and over for the email alert)

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForec...ska/2014/01/10

[Manfred M]

Thanks Trevor - web traffic to that site seems to be very high as I can't connect. Your location is certainly is a better location than mine. I remember being in Edmonton a long time ago and being treated to a really nice display.

I've have seen the Aurora just north of Ottawa (got to get away from the city lights); probably the last time we had a peak solar cycle about 11 years ago.

[Andrew76]

Manfred, now you're the reason why my wife will be so mad tonight, when I have to skip out of dinner plans.

I got a report from the U of G that the site has crashed from overuse. Apparently contacts that they have there say it should be up soon when they get it sorted out.

EDIT - never mind, I think my wife will be fine - doesn't look like there'll be much activity this far south. Dinner plans it is.

[Manfred M]

Manfred, now you're the reason why my wife will be so mad tonight, when I have to skip out of dinner plans.

I got a report from the U of G that the site has crashed from overuse. Apparently contacts that they have there say it should be up soon when they get it sorted out.

EDIT - never mind, I think my wife will be fine - doesn't look like there'll be much activity this far south. Dinner plans it is.

My wife plans to come along, so problem solved...

[NorthernFocus]

Most of the hotels in Fairbanks will give you a wake up call on request for aurora. It's much easier to see them in interior Alaska. Both light pollution and frequent overcast make it more difficult in Anchorage.

[Bobobird]

That is cool. Wonder what the possibilities are for the Toronto area?

"much of Canada" is not saying much.

[IzzieK]

I will await for your shots, Manfred. I am glad your wife decided to go with you...so packed dinner tonight, eh?

[Manfred M]

We headed out and drove about an hour north, well out of town. Then the clouds moved in - so nothing to see. Overcast with precipitation tonight (it's snowing out right now) and that wipes out anything tonight. No significant activity predicted, so I'll have to wait for the next opportunity.

[tbob]

Complete bust here. Clear skies but no Aurora by 11 pm. The half moon on the snow may have washed out the light but even then there is usually some visible northern lights on road to our house by 11 pm if the aurora is active. I was too lazy to get up at 2 am to check.

[Benjy]

Trevor,same here,overcast waited till half past midnight not a break in clouds just gave up......

[KeithM]

@ Manfred, tbob and Benjy. Sorry to hear that the clouds spoiled the show. Better luck next time. I am going on my first aurora hunt next month in north Finland and would really appreciate it if you could tell us your equipment set-up for best results on such a trip Thanks, keith

[rpcrowe]

Oh well, not much chance of us seeing it here in San Diego.

[Manfred M]

@ Manfred, tbob and Benjy. Sorry to hear that the clouds spoiled the show. Better luck next time. I am going on my first aurora hunt next month in north Finland and would really appreciate it if you could tell us your equipment set-up for best results on such a trip Thanks, keith

Good luck - hopefully the weather (solar and earthbound) will cooperate for you. I've seen the aurora 4 times (we did catch a glimpse of it this week, before the clouds moved in, but it was not worth shooting). The other times were in my pre-digital photography phase and I did not have a camera that could capture the event with me.

My research gives me the following starting points, which are all based on shooting at ISO 400 @ f/2.8 at different intensity levels:

1. Barely visible above background - 40 - 60 seconds
2. Intensity of moon-lit cirrus clouds - 20 - 30 seconds
3. Intensity of bright cirrus clouds - 5 - 10 seconds
4. Very bright - 2 -3 seconds

A very heavy duty tripod and ball head. I had a 9 kg / 20 lb sandbag along for stability and was planning to shoot with my f/2.8 14-24mm lens.

[KeithM]

Thanks for the reply Manfred, that information is very helpful. Better luck next time I hope. I have my fingers crossed for good weather. Not sure how the airline will react to me packing a 20lb sandbag in my case though!

[Manfred M]

Thanks for the reply Manfred, that information is very helpful. Better luck next time I hope. I have my fingers crossed for good weather. Not sure how the airline will react to me packing a 20lb sandbag in my case though!

The sandbags can be transported empty and then filled up with sand or stones when you get on site. I have 5-20lb sand bags, but only two of them have any sand in them. The others travel empty...