Amazing Aurora Borealis today and tomorrow.
The geomagnetic storm was KP8 at 1AM and is forecast to remain over KP5 for the next few days.
It's worth getting out to see if you have the opportunity.
Posted Mar 24, 2023, 7:31 AM UTC
2319
Aurora Borealis?!! At this time of day, at this time of year, localized entirely within your kitchen?!!!
2
Where abouts would you go?
1
I can see them right now overhead but head out by Suffield or elkwater(proffered imo). They haven't gone away but fade in and out through the hours!
3
Thanks just shaw them. No crazy colors but I can see them shimmer
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They've been going for hours now, at times they fade. If you're up it's worth peeking once and a while. Glad to hear you saw them!
2
We saw them first out by the Gas City campground then drove over just past veinerville so we had an unobstruted northeast view.
Anything on the edge of the city except very south should work well, and you shouldn't have to go too far. They were "best" over to the east though, in my opinion. That might change as the night goes on though.
2
Would out on the holsom road be a decent place to see them tonight? I keep missing them and don't want too tonight
1
Depending on where on the road you are it might be okay but you may be dealing with some city lights getting in the way. I go north or east of the city usually
1
Definitely check spaceweatherlive before heading out. It’s down to a KP3 now, which means we won’t see anything here tonight
Possible max of 6 though, so if it reaches that it should be visible here. My understanding is anything less than 5 will not be visible.
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I'm thinking past the rattle snake/120 turn off. Down that gravel road past klaudts dam.
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It was incredible last night. I went out when it was at Kp7 with a strong southern Bz and I had never seen such a display. Eventually had to go to bed though. Going to look today to see how my photos of it turned out
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Where do you find the info to time it right?
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Space weather app and weather conditions / forecasts to tell me if I should go out and look. But I don’t know what I’ll see until I see it. All I knew was it was likely to be active
1
I saw crazy skies in Edmonton around 1am-that must’ve been what it was! The pics I took couldn’t do it justice
0
Use this [site to monitor:] (https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/auroral-activity.html) You want a solar wind greater than 400 km/sec You want a strong negative or South BZ.
Their is also a facebook group called "Alberta Aurora Chasers" During the days their their is a strong chance of an Aurora, they will put out a discussion thread and people will comment on what they see. The sun solar maximum is on July 2025, so as we get closer to this date the chances for strong aurora's are higher.
Last night reached a Kp7, and looked to be the peak. Friday night has a forecast of Kp6, which is still pretty strong. Aurora's are unpredictable though. You generally need a KP5 or more to see it from Medicine Hat. A Kp5 you would only see them looking north, so you'd want to go up Box Springs road, or up to Suffield (just get off the #1 as it tends to be a big bright)
Here is a light pollution map
A KP7 means overhead for us. If you went outside last night in the city limits you would have been able to see "white clouds" and slight green streak or 3 inside the city. The white clouds would rapidly change and look like it was shimmering. A camera with a longer exposure could pick everything up a lot better. If you went 20-30 minutes outside the city you could see the green lights and some purple's dancing overhead.
Where to see them? Go up to Suffield but get away from the #1 as it's' kinda bright. Could drive north on Box Springs Road, or Up the #41 towards Schuler for 20-30 minutes and find a safe place to pull over. Could drive south to Red Rock Coulee although you'd be looking north into the City so that may not be the best route unless the storm is strong. Elkwater is a good bet as well. Anywhere 20-30 minutes outside of town really.