October 24, 2011 Auroras
I wasn't expecting anything this night, I just randomly checked the spaceweather plots and was surprised to see the BZ parameter at -17, meaning the magnetic field is allowing auroras to come further south, we just needed a good gust of solar wind. I called Mike and left a message about it. I wasn't going to head out because I had a ton of homework I needed to do (which I ended up staying up all night to do). Probably 10 minutes later I get a call from Mike and he says he can pick them up on his camera. I instantly grabbed my camera bag and jacket, which I didn't even need, and drove north as quickly as I could. I got to the Lincoln airport and away from any street lights and as soon as I got out of my car I could tell they were there. Just a green glow on the horizon at first. Once I took a few shots I keep going north to get further out of the light pollution from Lincoln. I got to highway 34 and could tell they were spiking. Sat around for probably 15 minutes and called as many people as I could while shooting. By 8:20pm I see pillars going up all along the horizon.
At this point I can't believe what I am seeing from Lincoln, NE! I've seen auroras before, but only from Minnesota and Wisconsin. The next 15 minutes I had the time of my life. Seeing Auroras fill the sky is something everyone needs to see, it's almost magical. I was always a doubter that you could distinguish the colors with the naked eye, boy was I wrong. A huge wall of red came from the north and surged south, it was incredible how vibrant the colors were, the reds and green below them. This first shot is right as the red pillars were starting to drop south.
I've never felt so much adrenaline from something, even while filming a tornado that's a quarter mile away. It was an amazing feeling, not sure I've ever felt so alive. I am thankful God gave me the opportunity to witness this amazing phenomena. I was also acting like a fool, freaking out and such, calling friends and yelling at them to get outside lol. I've waited a very long time to see a good display. Over the last few years I have spent countless hours out at night for an opportunity to photograph these, and most times I come away empty handed. Good things happen to those who are patient.
I had to jump in a shot, this turned out kinda cool with the define pillars.
First three shots were at 18mm f/3.5 for about 10 seconds. All the rest are 10mm f/4 between 10-13 seconds.
Check out the violet!! to the naked eye, this was incredible.
Now here things are already starting to weaken, they stayed like this almost overhead for about 5-10 minutes slowly fading. It's too bad I wasn't at my parents house for this, as Minnesota got a crazy overhead show as seen by Bill Doms who lives up near my parents in Minnesota. Also check out Mikes photos from north of Blair, NE.
And now fading here. This was a night I will remember for a LONG long time. I can't wait for the next display. By the way these were visible as far south as Arkansas! The rare "red aurora" are much taller than typical aurora and they are the only kind seen at low latitudes. If you want to know when to look for auroras check out the tutorial I am working on... HERE.
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