Eyes To The Sky: Aurora Should Be Bright

A solar flare that erupted Saturday could produce some good aurora the next few nights, according to forecasters at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.

Tools

By Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Story Created: Sep 27, 2011 at 10:46 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Sep 27, 2011 at 10:46 AM AKDT

FAIRBANKS — A solar flare that erupted Saturday could produce some good aurora the next few nights, according to forecasters at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.

“Right now it’s as high as it gets,” physics professor Chuck Deehr at the Geophysical Institute said Monday afternoon. “It’s difficult to tell how long of a run it’s going to be.”

Europe reported good aurora viewing Monday, which should translate to good viewing, he said.

“Sometimes when you get the first shock like this you get a big run and then it’s off for a night and then it’s on for a night,” Deehr said.

With more sunspot activity occurring, Fairbanksans should see more aurora this year than the past few winters, Deehr said.

“There are a lot more sunspots now and they’re active,” he said. “We’re on the upswing. We’re coming up on the ascending part of the solar cycle. We should expect in the next year to have a lot more active aurora.

“We had such a long minimum in this cycle,” Deehr said. “It’s been pretty quiet for a long time. It was a four-year minimum.”

Contact staff writer Tim Mowry at 459-7587.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

jjj said on Thursday, Sep 29 at 2:55 PM

Usually its the HAARP weapon that does this! And yes you will be able to see this from the valley if it is not cloudy. Should be a good light show.

74562162
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

KLM GGG said on Tuesday, Sep 27 at 1:01 PM

I wish they would say if it will be visible in Palmer!

74444194
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Dave said on Tuesday, Sep 27 at 12:56 PM

Social disease...LOL

74443922
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Bruce said on Tuesday, Sep 27 at 12:52 PM

What is a Fairbanksan?

74443687
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.