Aurora Borealis - Magnificent display of erratic colors

Recently around the full moon I looked up at the sky one night in the city
and even though it was somewhat cloudy I could still see the colorful lights
as they moved around the sky like fire in a storm. Keep in mind that the
city lights usually dampen the ability to see the Aurora Borealis and that
its usually also difficult to see them while its cloudy. Yet I was able to see
them clearly in between the clouds as they passed in the night.


Source for photo - mbl

They moved very quickly when I saw them and some of them even displayed
the deep color of purple. Most of them were green or yellow though like in the pic.

I believe we'll be seeing more of these lights soon and if we do I'll take a
photo of them myself ,provided that I have a clear view of them when it happens.

Cool pic although the exposure is too long!

thanks for sharing! S&F

That is amazing. Is the photograph real or enhanced by computer some way? When you saw it was it green like that

reply to post by SilentThundersGF


Its just long exposure I think. That's actually the best way to photograph these lights
unless you have some sort of a photofilter. The source article says Nasa uploaded a
portion of the image aswell as some other sites ,but I wouldn't know if its been altered
much although I've taken some photos of the northern lights which looked kinda similar..

reply to post by Mystic Technician


When you see it in person from that far north, does it seem as striking as in the picture? When I was a child I saw it from within the lower USA (not Alaska) but it was very muddy and not so brilliant. You have to be more north like where you are. Is it like that to your real eyes? Also, does it last a long time?

reply to post by SilentThundersGF


Its breathtaking when you're out in the rural countryside. Neon greenish and wavy curtain like.

Some say they can hear a slight humming-like sound from the lights ,but I've never heard that sound.

That pic was posted on SpaceWeather.com the other day. According to the photographer, the photo was only 1s exposure.

reply to post by nydsdan


Its possible ,since they were really bright for me and must've been even brighter
where the photographer was ,since its a more remote place with less light pollution
over there and much clearer weather conditions at the time.

That is why I awoke with this VIsta wide open feeling, and so happy,the morning after the flare.

Look its all healing green and purple. Its such a wonderful High Frequency!

exif data confirms 1sec shutter
with the amount of motion - they were moving really fast then