See the Aurora Borealis and the Aurora Australis

Okay, I’ve joined the local Yahoo Group and I’m just reading all the documentation.

I’m not only thrilled at the prospect of seeing one – but being able to photograph one as well!

Now this is interesting. I’ve always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis and then I found out there was the Aurora Australis!

(Checking my email…)

I contacted the local Astronomical Society in September last year and this is what they say about the Aurora Australis…

The Aurora Australis is usually seen a few days after an eruption of material from the sun, if such an eruption occurs and throws solar particles our way, a geomagnetic storm alert is issued via the Internet. The alerts give possible dates for potential aurorae and the latitudes they may be viewed from.

Have a look at www.spaceweather.com

Melbourne is roughly 38 degrees south and doesn’t get alot in the way of aurorae but when we do, it can be spectacular.

Unfortunately, apart from sporadic solar bursts, the sun is currently settling into the quiet phase of it’s eleven year cycle and activity is likely to be minimal till about 2009, with the sun at it’s most violent in 2011.

In the meantime, if I receive an alert, I will forward it to you. Alternatively, the MPAS run an aurora phone network where if one is seen, you can be contacted by phone and you then forward the info to the next on the list. Details on this are at our Yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/southern-aurora/

I am silly. I haven’t joined the yahoo group, but I’m doing that right now!