Aurora 9th and 11th September 2015
A trip to the far north of Scotland can give a view of the Aurora or Northern lights with only a moderate activity level. Typical levels needed for a display north of Inverness are recorded as either a
K-Index over 5
or a
power of over 30GW on the NOAA space weather site.
March and September are the generally the better months for aurora.
On the nights of the 9th and 11th September 2015, the images below were taken from a remote cottage near Bonar Bridge
Unlike 3 years earlier, there was no moon, so little foreground light.
Even in late twilight at 2118 BST (2018 GMT/UTC) patches of light were visible, the camera showing them up as folds of aurora
f2.8, 10 seconds ISO 400, 28mm equivalent lens.
2152, A clear if featureless arc now developed, with darker sky below
f2.8, 40 seconds ISO 400, 28mm equivalent lens.
2233 and more action, as well as a passing satellite in the image
f2.8, 25 seconds ISO 400, 28mm equivalent lens.
2249 The arc is now clear with dark sky below and the mobile display had a brightening to the east side. Pleiades stars are off to the far right.
f2.8, 10 seconds ISO 800, 28mm equivalent lens.
2302 The arc is still clear with dark sky below and a few rays extending to a high angle.
f2.8, 20 seconds ISO 800, 28mm equivalent lens.
Now 11th September, at 2249 BST. This time there was no clear sky below the aurora, but another sign to the naked eye is stars in the 'bright' area and dark clouds. Light pollution is the reverse. the camera also shows a purple upper fringe area of aurora
f2.8, 50 seconds ISO 1600, 28mm equivalent lens.
GBPHOTOS2015 Aurora page 18 Febrouary 2020 All images © M.W.Wilson