Iceresistance Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 The bZ has been unwilling to turn negative Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neoncyclone Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 bz dropping hopefully it could stay that way for a while, sunset within the hour for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Mainiac Posted April 24, 2023 Admin Share Posted April 24, 2023 I forgot how long it takes after sunset this time a year until actual pitch black darkness. That sunset glow of twilight is still illuminating the north. I did run into a moose but no auroras yet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neoncyclone Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Some potential good news on seeing aurora tonight, bz is steadily staying negative right now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 2 hours ago, MaineJay said: I believe we want to see the Bz number negative, and like -20 to really see them at mid latitudes. I know that number can, and probably will, fluctuate fairly quickly as the solar winds "gust" over the planet. -33 right now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Mainiac Posted April 24, 2023 Admin Share Posted April 24, 2023 I don't really have an Astro focus lens right now so I'm just using the fastest one I have, and I'm definitely out of practice as I fumble with the controls in the wind which is pretty stiff. The Aurora is completely visible with the naked eye. Here are a few shots straight from camera. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceresistance Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 I might be able to see it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Mainiac Posted April 24, 2023 Admin Share Posted April 24, 2023 A bit chilly out there to be honest, but it's quite the sight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceresistance Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 How low does the Bz have to go for me to see the Aurora? It's currently just below -30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 7 minutes ago, Iceresistance said: How low does the Bz have to go for me to see the Aurora? It's currently just below -30 I can see it in Maryland right now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceresistance Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 4 minutes ago, Rush said: I can see it in Maryland right now. Are you going to report the sighting of the Aurora to the NWS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceresistance Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Bz is consistently at -30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 10 minutes ago, Iceresistance said: Are you going to report the sighting of the Aurora to the NWS? It was extremely brief, did get a photo. Faint red pillar of light. Camera saw it better. Time lapsing right now while I warm up inside the window. Going to give it another half hour or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceresistance Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 (edited) Bz is increasing, possibly a missed opportunity for me. EDIT: It's going up and down Edited April 24, 2023 by Iceresistance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 6 minutes ago, Iceresistance said: Bz is increasing, possibly a missed opportunity for me. EDIT: It's going up and down Don't give up. I could briefly see green and red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceresistance Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Just now, Rush said: Don't give up. I could briefly see green and red. I'm not, SWPC is now up to a G3 "Strong" Geomagnetic Storm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Mainiac Posted April 24, 2023 Admin Share Posted April 24, 2023 This is probably the brightest I've seen in a long time, at least a decade. That said, I'm less inclined to go outside when it's -20F. Now I just need to scout out a wider and faster lens for next time. 😂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 4 minutes ago, Mainiac said: This is probably the brightest I've seen in a long time, at least a decade. That said, I'm less inclined to go outside when it's -20F. Now I just need to scout out a wider and faster lens for next time. 😂 I'm using a 20mm f1.8. 1600 iso with a 5 second exposure. If I make it any brighter the light pollution overpowers at the horizon. Due north from me is relatively clear of pollution but strong to the north west and east. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Mainiac Posted April 24, 2023 Admin Share Posted April 24, 2023 10 minutes ago, Rush said: I'm using a 20mm f1.8. 1600 iso with a 5 second exposure. If I make it any brighter the light pollution overpowers at the horizon. Due north from me is relatively clear of pollution but strong to the north west and east. I had sold all my fast lenses a few years ago when I stepped away from photography. So all I have is my collection of vintage Soviet lenses. The photos above are taken with a Mir 1b 38mm F3.5 and I varied the ISO from 640 to 4000 depending on the exposure. With it being windy and having to take longer exposures it blurs everything together and you lose out on the distinct sprites, but it was still fun! I've been eyeing a sigma art 14–24mm F2.8 that I think would be perfect for these type of nights out shooting, and I might've convinced myself to pick it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neoncyclone Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 I think I just live too far south, southern Illinois I knew it'd be a stretch but I think i'm out of luck. Pretty strong storm, hemispheric power is at the strongest i've seen it since the start. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Mainiac Posted April 24, 2023 Admin Share Posted April 24, 2023 unifi_042323_2340_41.0s.mov I regret now not trying to take a little bit a video. Interestingly enough, with the infrared off my security camera is picking them up. 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neoncyclone Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 (edited) After admitting defeat I decided to go back out, saw a faint glow off in the distance and decided to test my camera. I have an older phone so the quality isn't great but it does long exposures, so here is some 4-8s exposures. Location: SE IL Edited April 24, 2023 by Neoncyclone 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin MaineJay Posted April 24, 2023 Author Admin Share Posted April 24, 2023 5 hours ago, Neoncyclone said: After admitting defeat I decided to go back out, saw a faint glow off in the distance and decided to test my camera. I have an older phone so the quality isn't great but it does long exposures, so here is some 4-8s exposures. Location: SE IL 8 hours ago, Mainiac said: This is probably the brightest I've seen in a long time, at least a decade. That said, I'm less inclined to go outside when it's -20F. Now I just need to scout out a wider and faster lens for next time. 😂 Awesome shots! All I had was heavy rain, at least it drowned out the sound of my tears hitting the floor. 🤣 This sun cycle seems to be fairly active, so hopefully we get more opportunities. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Hiramite Posted April 24, 2023 Moderators Share Posted April 24, 2023 I don't know anything about this stuff, so I checked but couldn't find if the Kp or Bz is better than another for predicting auroras. I suspect they are both "tools" to use. Does anyone know if one index is more reliable than the other? (I downloaded the Aurora app a few weeks ago and received notices yesterday. Didn't even attempt to look with all the clouds here. It appears that it uses the Kp.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Hiramite Posted April 24, 2023 Moderators Share Posted April 24, 2023 7 minutes ago, Hiramite said: I don't know anything about this stuff, so I checked but couldn't find if the Kp or Bz is better than another for predicting auroras. I suspect they are both "tools" to use. Does anyone know if one index is more reliable than the other? (I downloaded the Aurora app a few weeks ago and received notices yesterday. Didn't even attempt to look with all the clouds here. It appears that it uses the Kp.) I think I found my answer... https://auroranotify.com/learn2hunt/forecasting/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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