Copyright ©2026 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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Monday I got an alert from my Aurora App that said it might possible to see the Aurora as low as Northern Nevada. There was a pretty large CME -solar flare on January 19th that I read about in Spaceweather and it mentioned the Aurora Borealis could be really good and perhaps wide spread. I was on a hike when my app pinged me Monday afternoon saying that it was looking good where I live to see some of the Aurora. When I got home I charged up my batteries, switched lenses, and got my gear ready. In the evening close to the peak KP index reading per my app I put on my thermals, coat, toe warmers, then gathered my hand heating pouch, tripod, gear bag, red headlamp, and walked out into the 35 degrees F night air. I headed down the street to photograph the sky over my neighbors ranch.
The stars were bright, and clear, and the air cold, and brisk. It was just me and a horse in the stall kicking and making that sound they make when the blow raspberries through their nose, and lips. I suspect it heard me and saw my red headlamp. Then it got really quiet.
The horse and I settled in for a bit. I set up my tripod, and camera then got my focus dialed in and made a few tests shots. Then I made this shot when it was supposed to be “peak KP index (6.67)” for my area.
It was very light pinky purple with maybe a little green.
There’s light pollution from Carson City to the north.
Way out on the top of hills in the distance is a bright white light. That’s an ATV of some kind making its way to the top of the Pinenut Mountains. I wondered if they were going to a great view and maybe a darker sky?
I read the Aurora’s were spectacular in parts of Europe and some of the images I’ve seen are fantastic.
This Aurora wasn’t as strong as the one that we saw here in October 2024 see my post here , but anytime I get a ping saying maybe I’ll see an Aurora in No. Nevada I’ll be out with my camera.
Happy Mid Week Everyone!
more to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
Sorry you didn’t get as good an aurora as the one in 2024. Clearly you were prepared, if only the sky had delivered the goods.
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If it happened like in 2024 it could happen again and the KP index number was higher this time so I had high hopes. Maybe next time. 😀
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The aurora on Monday was very intense over Scotland and was even visible from southern England. But what would have been a spectacular show where we live was spoiled by lots of low cloud. While most areas of Scotland enjoyed the lights, south-east Scotland was covered in cloud and mist almost all day. We saw nothing, not even stars, despite dark skies and constant checks of the night sky through a camera lens. This continued on Tuesday night, when the aurora was still visible, albeit less intense, elsewhere in Scotland.
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I guess it wasn’t our turn for the really intense aurora this time round. 😀
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Thank you for your diligence and for sharing the results. Your description of the planning and preparation makes it clear that good photos don’t just happen. I’ve only been on a few photo shoots in cold weather, but I know that standing still, waiting for the right moment is a lot colder than going for an evening walk.
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Thank you, Dan! It is a lot colder standing around, so I wasn’t out all that long. I wish the Aurora would happen on a warm summer, spring, or fall night and reach all the way down here.
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