Auroras

**Paul.** · 24-01-2012, 12:27 AM

Just a heads up for those of you further South than I, there is quite alot of Aurora activity at the moment, due to the eruption of a large sunspot. Some of my contacts have been photographing it back in the NE of England (around 55 degrees North), looking at Space Weather.com, there will be activity South to Middle South Island with a similar intensity rating as they have been witnessing (granted they had alot more time to look around for it as it gets dark early there).

http://www.spaceweather.com/

**wirehunt** · 24-01-2012, 04:31 AM

I saw Fraser Gunn got some pic's of a small one the other day. Up there -tomorrow- later today, so with a bit of luck....

**rjd** · 24-01-2012, 11:49 AM

I've seen some pics from scotland...

Shame I am on call this week and cant travel

**mrfinster** · 24-01-2012, 12:18 PM

hmmm wife and kids are visiting the wicked witch of the north island this weekend.

Would Tekapo be worth a look?

**wirehunt** · 24-01-2012, 12:29 PM

Meet you for a beer, q up there for the next two night's.

**rjd** · 24-01-2012, 12:31 PM

I've looked at the aurora charts/forecasts and....

I cant understand them, good luck.

**mrfinster** · 24-01-2012, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by wirehunt

Meet you for a beer, q up there for the next two night's.

Yeh could be keen on that - I'll see what the weather forecast is looking like on Friday and give you a call

**jimpollardgoesclick** · 24-01-2012, 04:01 PM

eyes open in Queenstown tonight then. Which direction to look, bar up?

**SteveB** · 24-01-2012, 04:41 PM

Look south. The darker the sky, the better and there's no moon which will help. The forecast looks like something could be visible right up to the top of the South Island. We're likely to see the higher altitude, red aurora than the dancing green lights. You never know though.

**wirehunt** · 25-01-2012, 08:19 PM

One of the two best ones I've every seen. Fiordland sleeping in the grass beside a box of piss and the sky going nuts!

**rjd** · 25-01-2012, 08:25 PM

Too many clouds here, hopefully another night. Were at a peak year for aurora I think?

**mrfinster** · 25-01-2012, 08:25 PM

Grey low cloud in ashvegas tonight. been for a fish up near Peel Forest tonight and couldn't even see the mountains. or any salmon

**Arthurhh** · 25-01-2012, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by mrfinster

Grey low cloud in ashvegas tonight. been for a fish up near Peel Forest tonight and couldn't even see the mountains. or any salmon

Ash Vegas, I cannot get that. South Cant I guess, and having been educated in Temuka I am curious

**randomguy** · 25-01-2012, 09:21 PM

I'm guessing Ashburton?

Low cloud here in Wellywood as well, so no chance. Maybe it clears up around 2-3 am lol!

**Adam** · 25-01-2012, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Arthurhh

Ash Vegas, I cannot get that. South Cant I guess, and having been educated in Temuka I am curious

Ashvegas = Ashburton.

**rjd** · 26-01-2012, 07:10 AM

Norwester in canty tonight, hopefully no clouds...

**weap10** · 26-01-2012, 07:43 AM

Ya didn't miss anything Rob, I had a look at midnight and at 3am, didn't see anything.

**wirehunt** · 26-01-2012, 08:36 AM

Out looking last night at Tekapo but nothing. Looks like the weather is going to shit

Snow to 1700 metres tonight here.

**randomguy** · 26-01-2012, 08:37 AM

the carter observatory fb page mentioned that the aurora watch was cancelled

**rjd** · 26-01-2012, 08:44 AM

well at least I can try sleep tonight!

**rjd** · 08-03-2012, 08:07 AM

GEOMAGNETIC STORM UPDATE: Spaceweather.com is reporting that a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) propelled toward Earth by the recent X5-class solar flare is expected to reach our planet on March 8th at 0625 UT (+/- 7 hr). Analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab, who prepared the CME's forecast track, say the impact could spark a strong-to-severe geomagnetic storm.
Sky watchers at all latitudes should be alert for auroras.
We will post any more details as they come to hand!

Will try find out some more info...