See the Aurora Borealis and the Aurora Australis

I live close to the equator, so I don’t believe I can see either from where I live, however one of my other goals is to visit/live in Iceland, so hopefully I can see the Borealis there, and I want to visit the South Pole as well… and if not the south pole, then if it is possible to see in Australia, then that seems a more likely option.

Seeing at least the Aurora Borealis would be another unforgettable life experience.

I’d love to do this, and I really hope I can one day.

Perhaps it is the wrong time of year, perhaps I will be lucky.

a couple of weeks ago but the light show wasn’t playing that week. Maybe next time!

This thing just got a whole lot easier with commercial flights starting to fly between Australia and Antarctica! So what would be sweet is if I could see and Aurora Borealis in Iceland and and Aurora Australis in Antarctica. Pack my thermals for sure! But don’t worry, I’ll take some photos of them so you can see them without having to hack the cold temps. :D

Growing up in South Eastern Australia, Gippsland(approx. Latitude 38 deg South) I was fortunate to live in the country where there was limited light pollution. The Southern Aurora was often visible low in the southern portion of the night sky.
For the moment I am living in Northern Alberta Canada (approx. Latitude 56 deg North) this has provided me with some spectacular views of the Northern lights, on clear dark nights the lights often appear to dance across the sky. I would rate it as * it’s a cliche but some of the best things in life are free.

A cool name and the most magical thing I think a person could see. Yes, better than Disney World! I think it would make my life that much more full. It seems like a “there must be more” moment.

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!