Re: [Utah-astronomy] Aurora Visible?
A co-worker/friend in my office who lives on Scenic Drive (about 2200 South and 2700 East) tells me that she saw the aurora both last night (the 16th) and the night before around 4 to 4:30 a.m.
I don't see reports of any activity south of the Arctic Circle. You may have to use all your diplamatic skills with your coworker, but I think she saw skyglow (city lights off of particles and droplets in the sky). It would be accentuated by the smog (ahem, haze) that's currently filling the valley.
She did say the colors were red and white ripples, so colorwise, that fits with your idea. And are the weather reporters here fined if they say the words like pollution or smog? Happy valley can only be hazey??? -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+blanchard-a=ugs.utah.edu@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+blanchard-a=ugs.utah.edu@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Michael Carnes Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 1:00 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Aurora Visible?
A co-worker/friend in my office who lives on Scenic Drive (about 2200 South and 2700 East) tells me that she saw the aurora both last night (the 16th) and the night before around 4 to 4:30 a.m.
I don't see reports of any activity south of the Arctic Circle. You may have to use all your diplamatic skills with your coworker, but I think she saw skyglow (city lights off of particles and droplets in the sky). It would be accentuated by the smog (ahem, haze) that's currently filling the valley. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
This is where a home-made magnetometer comes in handy. You glue a tiny first-surface mirror to a magnet, suspend it on a string inside a large clear glass bottle, and shine a laser on it, noting the exact position of the reflected beam on a card taped to the wall. You can watch the beam wander during an aurora. As the earth's magnetic field lines are twisted and distorted, the magnet will respond, moving the mirror and thus the beam. I got this from "The Amateur Scientist" in Scientific American. It works. Just set it up somewhere in your house as far from other magnetic fields and large masses of ferrous metal as possible. --- Ann Blanchard <blanchard-a@ugs.utah.edu> wrote:
She did say the colors were red and white ripples, so colorwise, that fits with your idea. And are the weather reporters here fined if they say the words like pollution or smog? Happy valley can only be hazey???
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In my description, "string" should read "thread" or "monofilament". The finer the thread, also the longer the thread, the more sensitive the magnetometer. A long human hair is ideal. Just yank one from Guy's beard next time you see him, if he hasn't trimmed it lately. It is suspended inside the bottle to isolate it from air currents in the room. Lower floors are preferred to upper floors, to isolate it from strutural movement of the building. During an aurora, the mirror will twist back and forth slightly. It can be slow or fast, depending on the particular movement of the earth's magnetic field lines. Increasing the separation distance between the mirror/magnet and the projection screen will also improve the sensitivity. --- Chuck Hards <chuckhards@yahoo.com> wrote:
This is where a home-made magnetometer comes in handy.
You glue a tiny first-surface mirror to a magnet, suspend it on a string
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participants (3)
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Ann Blanchard -
Chuck Hards -
Michael Carnes