SolarChat!

Hi all,

After days of relative calm, the anticipated solar wind has arrived, sparking a G1 solar storm and twitching magnetometers around the globe, including my own here in the UK.

There is no mistaking its arrival.
Assuming that this is just the start, then there might be a good display of the aurora over night. Good luck if you're in a position to view.

Thanks for looking.

Stu.

Lots of UK aurora pictures coming in via social media

Thanks Mark. I'm not surprised as the geomagnetic unrest continued vigorously throughout the night. Here's an update from my magnetometer.
It's still only a G1 storm (maybe touching G2), but at this time of the year Earth seems particularly responsive to even the slightest breath of solar wind.

Stu.

I thought you would have caught this Stu I had a red alert from Lancaster Aurora watch. Then checking FB Pete Williamson said they were visible from Shropshire. So within 10 minutes I was out and stood in the cow field with one foot covered in cow pat. I took lots of images over 30 minutes and I thought I could see green on the view finder but looking on the computer last night I can't see anything at all I need to sort my shoe out tonight as well, the sock is in the wash

Alexandra

Ha.....That's so funny, Alexandra. Taking photos with a shoe full of cow poo. Now that's dedication (or desperation).

My view north is diabolical, so not a lot of chance of seeing anything, even like last night when the conditions were almost perfect. I hope you do find something 'on film' to make your excursion worthwhile.

Stu.

Mmm yes! it was cold and wet and oozing down my sock, I must be mad!! I am not in the hubbies best books either as I have spread it round the house too. Now I realise I had the camera on the wrong ISO, I should have been on 400 not 200, no wonder they are blank The comedy of mad astronomers
Alexandra

Funny!

I did look, but my northerly window from Brierley Hills is street light hell...

I've just had a proper look at my images and I took just one right at the beginning at ISO400 and 10 seconds. I have turned up the vibrance only and perhaps there is a hint of green near the horizon, what do you think? 21:58UT

2017-11-07 21: 58UT Cheshire by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Alexandra

Maybe, i'm not convinced though... I normally shoot 30s at iso800 for aurora.

Looks like a hint of green to me

BTW... I was asked 'what does quiet look like' ?

Here's the geomagnetic record for November 6th which was a quiet day between periods of activity.
As you can see, pretty much flat.

Stu.