Discussion
Effects of a massive solar CME hitting earth right now. Activity has been seen at kP 10 which, if it continues, is strong enough to generate aurora borealis visible across the UK. Obviously, the weather's going to get in some parts but if you're lucky enough to be under clear skies once darkness falls, get yourself outside and away from streetlights; face north; and view between the horizon and about 20º above.
I'm off to sulk under a southern cloud- there's plenty to choose from.
I'm off to sulk under a southern cloud- there's plenty to choose from.
Glad to see a few people managed to get something from the opportunity. I'll try to dig the thread up again if I notice ongoing alerts 
Seems to have been a further display last night. Not as strong, but in some ways more impressive (judging by the preview that got tweeted to me earlier)
http://helios.swpc.noaa.gov/ovation/Europe.htmlI take it the red line in that link is dynamic?
Aurorae are somewhat unpredictable but there are rare occasions when you might be able to glimpse the effect in the south, assuming minimal light pollution and zero cloud cover.
Even if you're not on twitter, you can access tweets from AuroraWatchUK who send out alerts in the event of high likelihood of AB visibility. Amber relates to Scotland & northern England; Red relates to the whole of the UK, although both are meant as a good indication rather than dead cert. There was a red alert three months ago, then nothing til Sep 30th, then again Monday night. As Craig has experienced above, each of those times has been relentlessly cloudy in the south.
Your best chance would obviously be to get somewhere really dark. Scout your location beforehand- you want to be able to shoot at ISO1600, f/4 or equiv for about 15sec without significant light ingress in the sky. The further south you are the lower to the horizon any aurorae will appear, thus you want to avoid being directly south of London or other major developments. You'll want to have approximately 90º view, 45º either side of north.
If by south east you mean Kent/ Sussex, I'd guess your best bet would be Whitstable or eastwards on the north Kent coast.
Seems to have been a further display last night. Not as strong, but in some ways more impressive (judging by the preview that got tweeted to me earlier)
DamienB said:
RobbieKB said:
Any where in the South East I can see this? Do you have to be near the coast or something?
Sorry I'm a bit of a newbie to this.
Not a chance... south of the red line on the link below? Nowt to see...Sorry I'm a bit of a newbie to this.
http://helios.swpc.noaa.gov/ovation/Europe.html
Aurorae are somewhat unpredictable but there are rare occasions when you might be able to glimpse the effect in the south, assuming minimal light pollution and zero cloud cover.
Even if you're not on twitter, you can access tweets from AuroraWatchUK who send out alerts in the event of high likelihood of AB visibility. Amber relates to Scotland & northern England; Red relates to the whole of the UK, although both are meant as a good indication rather than dead cert. There was a red alert three months ago, then nothing til Sep 30th, then again Monday night. As Craig has experienced above, each of those times has been relentlessly cloudy in the south.
Your best chance would obviously be to get somewhere really dark. Scout your location beforehand- you want to be able to shoot at ISO1600, f/4 or equiv for about 15sec without significant light ingress in the sky. The further south you are the lower to the horizon any aurorae will appear, thus you want to avoid being directly south of London or other major developments. You'll want to have approximately 90º view, 45º either side of north.
If by south east you mean Kent/ Sussex, I'd guess your best bet would be Whitstable or eastwards on the north Kent coast.
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