Prof. Sam LawlerNov 10

Currently trying to decide if it's worth driving to a dark sky site tonight (~1 hr drive, I know, I'm super lucky) even though some high clouds are moving in, or if I should wait until tomorrow night, when currently the forecast looks better (but it looked really good for tonight earlier today...the forecasts are not very accurate). There's also a better chance for auroras tomorrow (but those forecasts are even less accurate...)

Hmmmmm

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 11

I did go drive out to Bortle 2 skies with my family and it was INCREDIBLE (thanks for encouragement, fediverse).

The only light coming from stars, totally silent except for coyotes, owls, and I think maybe whooping cranes (!!) flying over. Barely any auroras, but the stars were stunning.

(There were a fuck-ton of satellites though, of course)

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 11
Going to be really really good auroras the next couple of nights!! https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/geomagnetic-storm-watches-11-13-november
Geomagnetic Storm Watches for 11-13 November | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 11

G4 G4 G4!!! AURORAAAASSSS!!!!

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/g4-severe-watch-effect-12-november

G4 (Severe) Watch in Effect for 12 November | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 12
Here it cooooomes!!!
Show threadProf. Sam Lawler
I... honestly don't really know what most of these plots mean in terms of aurora viewing. But I can see lots of graphs are shooting upwards or downwards quite dramatically! I think that's probably good https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/auroral-activity/real-time-auroral-activity.html
Real-time auroral activity

Below you will find the latest solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field data covering the past 24 hours as measured by the Advanced Explorer (ACE) spacecraft located at the Sun-Earth L1 point. These parameters are the first parameters used to predict auroral activity. The redder the plots get...

SpaceWeatherLive.com
Nov 12 at 12:25amWeb
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 12
HOLY SHIT THE SKY IS FUCKING INCREDIBLE AAAAHHHHHH WOWWWWWWW
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 12

I haven't yelled that many (overwhelmingly excited) swear words at the sky for a long time. WWOOOOOWWWWW. Reddest auroras I've ever seen!! Usually it takes a long time exposure/CCD camera to see red at all. This is BRIGHT!! You can actually see easily outside by aurora light!!!!

Warming up for a few minutes before heading back out

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 12
Note the Starlink train in the first picture. How do you like them protons, Musk?!
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 12
HOLY @$^@#($!~@#)!!
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 12
So much red!!
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 12

The auroras were still going strong at 2:30 am, and when I went out at 6 to take care of goats and chickens. Auroras always seem to have a flickery, shimmery quality after midnight. I've never seen that shimmer before midnight, only in the morning hours. Any experts know why?

The auroras slowly disappeared into the lightening dawn sky. Looking forward to more tonight!!

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 12

I can't stop thinking about the auroras. That was amazing. And there very likely will be more tonight!! https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/g3-strong-geomagnetic-storming-continues-g4-severe-still-expected

...I wonder how it's going up there for Starlink and the other thousands of sats whizzing by each other? 😬

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 13

The sky isn't quite dark enough to see if there are auroras yet, but the fucking Starlinks are easy to see. Due to the Starlink main orbital shell configuration, there is almost always a Starlink or two visible crawling across the sky at the same elevation as the North Star from my latitude (lots more in other parts of the sky too... sigh.)

Remember when Starlink publicly and loudly promised they'd get fainter than magnitude 7? That sure would have been nice. Liars.

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 13
Hard to tell through a window, but I think the sky looks kinda red again! Time to set up my camera, put on lots of layers, and head outside. Wooo!!!
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 13

yes yes Yes YEs YES YES YES!!!

PURPLE! RED! ORANGE!! GREEN!!! WOWWWW

(It was not this bright naked-eye, but these colours are all totally visible! Incredible!)

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 13
More more more!
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 13
This is looking SOUTH. Holy crap.
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 13
Well, this is embarrassing. Looks like I finally cursed at Starlink enough that I managed to open up some kind of portal in VLEO right over my barn. Sorry everybody! I promise I'll help clean up.
Show threadLAURENNov 13

@sundogplanets

Leave it!!! It can suck that garbage straight out of this dimension.

Show threadDoomsdaysCWNov 13
@sundogplanets Never stop cursing Starlink! (And I love your post and photo!)
Show threadColes Street PotholeNov 13
@sundogplanets Best pics I've seen! 🤩
Show threadDenis GilbertNov 13
@sundogplanets Enjoy mother Nature's best light show!
Show threadAri "Two Sheds" JacksonNov 13
@sundogplanets BEST pics I've seen! Wowwww!
Show threadMichael GemarNov 13
@sundogplanets Wow!
Show threadThe Eddie Show 📷🎧❤️Nov 13

@sundogplanets

Beautiful! I'm curious how the animals respond to the aurora.

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 13
@TheEddieShow It was bright enough to see last night with the auroras, so I tried leading the goats into the barn without turning a light on for them. They were NOT happy about that. I had to turn the light on. So...I'd say... they're not impressed!
Show threadThe Eddie Show 📷🎧❤️Nov 13

@sundogplanets

Nonplussed Goats! (band name)  

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 13
@TheEddieShow I love it!!
Show thread❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Nov 13
@TheEddieShow
oh great question! Following to read the answer. @sundogplanets
Show threadRootWyrm 🇺🇦Nov 13
@sundogplanets I wish I didn't know so much about these so that I could just enjoy them. Instead of going "holy fuck there absolutely should not be these colors this far south, please tell me somebody's watching the cable amps."
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerNov 13
@rootwyrm Yeah we're well into the "someone should go check on our satellites" range... https://xkcd.com/2233/
Aurora Meaning

xkcd
Show threadRootWyrm 🇺🇦Nov 13
@sundogplanets by some measures, we're approaching "geophysicists about to lose their shit." Especially since I don't recall anywhere near this many G4's during the '00-'03 window. And these have all been small stuff - X5.1 for tonight, didn't break X9 last year.
Show threadAri "Two Sheds" JacksonNov 13
@sundogplanets Eeeeeee! Setting alarms.
Show threadRick Kenobi 🇨🇦Nov 13
@sundogplanets I could definitely see some red through the clouds here in southern Ontario. Unfortunately our forecast is not good... not good at all. Enjoy!
Show threadfamousringoNov 13
@sundogplanets pretty subdued compared to last night, so far.
Show threadLucas C. WheelerNov 12
@sundogplanets I think Elon should go up there and check it out up close just to make sure everything's alright with his satellites. 😉
Show threadRay McCarthyNov 12

@sundogplanets
Some day there will be worse than the Carrington Event.

Too much uses "GPS" just as cheap timing/clock to synchronise instead of using a local clock source. Mobile phone masts, DAB radio, DVB-T, some fibre systems and others.
I've solar panels and about 8000 Wh of LiFePO4 batteries. Also "Ham radio" gear.

Show threadEyjalaNov 12
@sundogplanets This one looks like an outstretched hand🤩
Show threadColin B.🇨🇦Nov 12

@sundogplanets I went out to look last night in Calgary, and saw nothing. At 23:00, I could _maybe_ see a faint glow. Friends and family all around the province were awestruck, but our little patio saw nuthin'.

I think they're hiding from me.

Show threadRichard NairnNov 12
@swordgeek @sundogplanets Yes, it became overcast. I some in the early evening before the cloud cover ruined it all.
Show threadDeborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦Nov 12
@sundogplanets @mayintoronto are those sats protected by the magnetosphere?
Show threadFlous   Nov 12
@sundogplanets Even we know it's a natural phenomena it still stays wondrous to see those colored waves dance in the sky.
Show threadseachangedNov 12

@sundogplanets

Pretty sure I'm not showing you anything new, but I was unfamiliar with the details of with how a severe geomagnetic storm might affect starlinks, so I went looking for myself..

.. and saw they had a bad day in February 2022, losing 38 out of 49 newly launched satellites: https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/53091

I wonder how these fledglings are doing, a satellite train seen from the ISS: https://x.com/astro_Pettit/status/1975689151467938057

Then there's this old chestnut on reaction wheels: https://www.esmats.eu/esmatspapers/pastpapers/pdfs/2017/bialke.pdf

NOAA Institutional Repository

The NOAA IR serves as an archival repository of NOAA-published products including scientific findings, journal articles, guidelines, recommendations, or other information authored or co-authored by NOAA or funded partners. As a repository, the NOAA IR retains documents in their original published format to ensure public access to scientific information.

Show threadJohn Francis 🇨🇦🦫🍁💪⬆️Nov 12
@sundogplanets trickster aurora!
Show threadPlay Ball and Fight FascistsNov 12

@sundogplanets

Oh I hope they get far south again tonight, last night there was too much cloud cover, but tonight should be clear. Fingers crossed!

Show threadMat WrightNov 12
@sundogplanets I am so pissed we have clouds - very jealous
Show threadMallory's Musings & MischiefNov 12
@sundogplanets Those are stunning!! 🤩
Show threadFarce MajeureNov 12
@sundogplanets oh wow, you got way more red than I did. https://metapixl.com/p/vathpela/894064171837201079
Farce Majeure (@[email protected])

Lights in the sky! #photography #CambridgeMA

Pixelfed
Show threadScott LettNov 12
@sundogplanets
Northern Colorado sky illuminated by northern lights
Show threadicasticoNov 12

@sundogplanets

Look at this shit from New Mexico

https://opalstack.social/@sean/115534600435984700

Edit: *shot

Sean Fulmer (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image #Aurora visible in southern #NewMexico right now!

Opalstack Social
Show threadSebastian LasseNov 12

RE: https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/115534849283899320

@sundogplanets
:) https://digitalcourage.social/@AkaSci@fosstodon.org/115534849366754564 🧵 [see reds …]

Show threadCheesenessNov 12
@sundogplanets Amazing!
Show threadkzeta has movedNov 12
@sundogplanets wow, incredible!! 🤩
Show threadRick Kenobi 🇨🇦Nov 12
@sundogplanets AWESOME! We are socked in with clouds here so seeing your pics makes me happy and jealous at the same time. THANKS!
Show threadGreglyNov 12
@sundogplanets I’d been anticipating your pics, I knew they would be absolutely spectacular!
Show threadFrankNov 12
@sundogplanets are our new alien overlords here?
Show threadacmNov 12
@sundogplanets that's totally amazing!!
Show thread🔊Glorplet Secondary🔊Nov 12
@sundogplanets where is zhis!!!!!
Show threadMallory's Musings & MischiefNov 12
@sundogplanets I see hints of blue in there! Very cool!
Show threadPatrick HerdNov 12
@sundogplanets Spicy enough over here that some grid reconfiguration has been done
Show threadMat WrightNov 12
@sundogplanets damn, getting cloudy here in Nanaimo
Show threadMallory's Musings & MischiefNov 12
@sundogplanets ahhhhhhhhh I'm excited!
Show threadavatastic  Nov 12
@sundogplanets i think red means you can see it with the naked eye, yellow and green you'll need to use a camera view finder / long exposure image to see anything.
Show threadRichard NairnNov 12
@sundogplanets generally that means cloud cover will show up here…
Show threadSchamschulaNov 12
@sundogplanets Two of these plots stand out to me: 1) the density and 2) the magnetic field - negative/South is usually associated with Geomagnetic Sub-storms as it causes the Earth's magnetosphere to deform