The Aurora Borealis On Long Island
By Tim Blanco
The Aurora Borealis or its more common name, ‘Northern Lights’ is a phenomenon that is usually associated with far Northern regions such Canada and Alaska. What’s not readily known is that the Northern lights have been sighted as far south as Florida and Arizona. Although it’s rare, this sight has been visible from Long Island several times during the past few years. If you want to see ‘The Lights’, you just have to know when and where to look.
I have photographed the Northern Lights over Long Island several times. You can see some of my photos of ‘The Lights’ here: http://photos.timblanco.com/timsbest/northernlights/
There are many websites that explain what makes “The Lights” happen. These web sights even tell you when conditions are favorable for the Northern Lights. A good place to start is http://www.spaceweather.com.After you get a basic knowledge of the technical details behind the lights (Solar activity, sun spots, solar flares, CMEs, etc…), check out http://www.spacew.com. This is a more technical page but it offers real-time info of what’s happening on the Sun.
In my opinion, photographs of the Northern Lights never compare to seeing it in person. The eerie movements and colors are indescribable. Once you do see it, you’ll be hooked. Make sure you have your camera and tripod ready!
Tim has graciously allowed us to use his photo on our home page as the header. Check it out Here>.
Tim is a native Long Islander. His primary occupation is as a Macintosh IT Professional & Consultant. Tim has been a photographer for 10 years. He uses the Canon 20D with a large assortment of lenses.
See more of Tim Blanco's photography HERE>Tim Blanco Photography is available for sale or by commission.
Email if interested: tim@timblanco.com
Telescopes & Science Tools at National Geographic
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What causes the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, show when charged protons and electrons in sub atomic particles from the sun react with gases in the Earth's upper atmosphere. The sun continually releases these particles in a discharge called "solar wind". Earth's magnetic field captures some of these particles, collecting them in magnetic regions called the "Van Allen" belts. The solar wind normally sweeps around Earth's outer atmosphere and builds up a charge of more than 100,000 volts between the magnetic field and the atmosphere. This forces some of the charged particles out of the Van Allen belts and funnels them into the atmosphere at the North and South poles. These ions spiral downward, causing the gasesthat they encounter to glow.
Because this stream of solar particles is constant, people living near the north and south poles can see an aurora on almost every clear night. To see them at lower latitudes like ours - there needs to be a large solar storm or flare. When the sun has a major eruption it releases huge quantities of charged particles, creating a "gust" in the solar wind. When the particles reach Earth, they swamp the Van Allen belts and pour into the atmosphere. The huge influx of particles creates an awe-inspiring display that can pulsate and shimmer along Earth's magnetic field lines.
The most common type of aurora is a curtain of green caused by charged particles hitting oxygen atoms 60 miles high. Slower particles that don't travel deeply into the atmosphere cause red aurorae by hitting atoms 120 miles up. Green aurorae with red fringes are a mixture of the two. Highly energetic particles can travel deeper into the atmosphere to create a red base to the common green curtain. These particles are reacting with nitrogen some 45 miles up.
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