Message: 1
Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002 23:30:12 -0600
From: "Tom Wagner" <sciteach1950@home.com>
Subject: Fw: Iowa Aurora Alert *WATCH*
This an aurora alert that I just got from a friend here in Iowa. Those of
you at a latitude of +/- 40 degrees or more from the equator might like to
know what it says.
Iowa Tom
USA
----- Original Message -----
From: Iowa Aurora Alert Network
To: Iowa Aurora Alert Network
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2002 8:34 PM
Subject: Iowa Aurora Alert *WATCH*
posted 2002/02/05 8:30pm CST
From the STD today:
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY WATCH
ISSUED: 23:30 UTC, 05 FEBRUARY 2001
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
VALID BEGINNING AT: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
VALID UNTIL: 19:00 UTC (2 pm EDT) ON 07 FEBRUARY
HIGH RISK PERIOD: 06 FEBRUARY (UTC DAYS)
MODERATE RISK PERIOD: 06 - 07 FEBRUARY
POTENTIAL MAGNITUDE OF MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY: MODERATE
POTENTIAL DURATION OF THIS ACTIVITY: MAIN BELT = 18 TO 36 HOURS
MINOR BELT = 36 TO 60 HOURS
ESTIMATED OPTIMUM OBSERVING CONDITIONS: NEAR LOCAL MIDNIGHT
EXPECTED LUNAR INTERFERENCE: LOW TO MODERATE
OVERALL OPPORTUNITY FOR OBSERVATIONS FROM MIDDLE LATITUDES: FAIR TO POOR
AURORAL ACTIVITY *MAY* BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM...
NORTHERN WASHINGTON STATE TO MONTANA TO NORTHERN SOUTH DAKOTA TO CENTRAL
MINNESOTA TO CENTRAL WISCONSIN TO MICHIGAN TO DARK SKY SITES OF NEW YORK
STATE, VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SOUTHERN MAINE.
ACTIVITY *MAY* ALSO BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM...
NORTHERN UNITED KINGDOM TO EXTREME NORTHERN NETHERLANDS TO EXTREME
NORTHERN GERMANY TO EXTREME NORTHERN POLAND TO NORTHERN LITHUANIA TO
LATVIA TO NORTHERN RUSSIA. SOUTHERN REGIONS OF NEW ZEALAND MAY ALSO SPOT
PERIODS OF ACTIVITY.
SYNOPSIS...
Effects of a well placed coronal hole are beginning to produce periods
of intensified auroral activity. The potential for more widespread auroral
substorming has increased over the last few hours and may help produce
periods of visible auroral activity over more widespread middle latitude
regions. For this reason, a watch has been issued for the next 24 to 48
hours. The most volatile period is likely to be observed within the next 24
hours. No significant auroral storming is expected, although high latitudes
may witness some impressive activity.
This watch will remain in effect until 19:00 UTC (2 pm EST) on 07
February. It will then be updated or allowed to expire. For updated
information, visit: http://www.spacew.com/aurora/forum.html
PLEASE REPORT OBSERVATIONS OF AURORAL ACTIVITY TO:
http://solar.spacew.com/www/auroras.html
*End of Alert*
Chances here in Iowa are not particularly good for aurora but if you live in
the northern part of the state and have clear skies you might want to take a
look to the north around midnite, you may possibly catch some minor
activity.
Please be sure to be in dark skies away from city/town lights with a clear
view of the northern horizon. Please allow 15 minutes for you eyes to
become dark-adapted.
Good Luck!
Stan Richard
Iowa Aurora Alert Network
Urbandale, IA
snkrichard@msn.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Frisk [mailto:lkfrisk@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 2:55 AM
To: Utah Astronomy
Subject: [Utah-astronomy] What was I seeing?At about 2:45 AM this morning I observed a bright pink sky glow in the west/southwest. I first noticed it at 2:15 AM and it lasted until about 2:35 and then slowly faded out. It was quite bright and fairly constant in color. I went outside in my sweats and nearly froze before I had the good sense to go back inside and view from the window. :-(Can anyone tell me what I was seeing?