Whatever Weds. Aurora’s Amethyst Sky

Posted in Low Light Photography, Night Sky, Photography, Whatever WednesdayTagged , , , , , , , , ,

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PLEASE DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.

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.

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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…

44 thoughts on “Whatever Weds. Aurora’s Amethyst Sky”

  3. My iphone picked up the aurora here. It registered very magenta with a slight green at the horizon. There were lots of stars. Did you try it with your cell phone? They pick it up best. I have a tripod for mine which is good cause it’s a long exposure.

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    1. I did take a quick pic with my cell phone to send to a friend who lives an hour away from me so she could see what I seeing. My cell phone did pick up more green on the horizon here too. I didn’t use my cell phone tripod adaptor so it’s a bit blurry.
      I’ve had good luck with my DSLR in the past when the Aurora’s have been seen here. This time it wasn’t as strong.

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  7. happy mid week to you too and love what you captured here.

    Oh and side note, I once had a yoga teacher who had us shake a little and make funny sounds, including the sound horses sometimes make when they “blow raspberries through their nose, and lips” – and she says it is really good for releasing stress in the body and helping systmes relax. In class, it always led to a few smiles and laughing – so that was a bonus.

    xxx

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  8. I saw some photos from spots with good viewing conditions and excellent colors; I’m sorry you missed out this time around. We were far too south for even a slight glow this time, which is kind of a shame. Our temperatures have been so warm I’d have been inclined to go out and look; in conditions like yours, my resolve would have suffered!

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  13. Beautiful sky – the stars alone are amazing! We had too much cloud cover to see anything and much too cold where I live – in the 20’s for me to go outside. I commend you for giving it a try… love the description of the horse nearby.

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      1. I did not, alas! It was widely seen over here I read in the newspapers. From my house I can only see a little bit of sky. And I forgot to out to city limits to peek over de country side. But it might happen again!

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  18. 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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  19. 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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