Northern & Southern Lights

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by bevspark, Jun 28, 2009.

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  1. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    we are far enough north (Olympia, WA farthest North capital in contiguous US!!) to see them occasionally if the skies are clear enough in winter which is pretty rare. lived in Alaska two years and saw them many times there. they are an awesome sight!!
     
    #41 DaveinOlyWA, Jun 30, 2009
  2. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    actually you might under the right circumstances... what you are seeing is particles being swirled around by the Earths magnetic field. since the field is strongest at the poles, that is why its easier to see the lights when near the poles.

    but the field fluctuates quite a bit where occasionally you will see a "wave" going more than 2-3000 miles south (or north)... its kinda like dropping a big stone in the pond when its raining... the rain drops create to small ripples and all of them are pretty uniform. the big stone creates the big ripple that overrides the little ones for a brief period.

    keep in mind that their elevation makes them viewable from several thousand miles away... what you really need is a very dark, very clear night sky.
     
    #42 DaveinOlyWA, Jun 30, 2009
  3. Midpack

    Midpack Member

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    I have seen Northern Lights several times during overnight sailboat races on the north end of Lake Michigan. As others have said, I think you have to be somewhere away from light pollution, away from cities and towns I suspect. It's one of life's experiences you have to see in person, pictures cannot do it justice (Grand Canyon, Niagra Falls, etc.). If you're ever somewhere you can witness it for yourself, you MUST IMO.
     
    #43 Midpack, Jun 30, 2009
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    #44 Tideland Prius, Jun 30, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  5. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Wanna bet??
     
    #45 jayman, Jun 30, 2009
  6. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    With strong genes like that, you should live to 100
     
    #46 jayman, Jun 30, 2009
  7. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    #47 jayman, Jun 30, 2009
    2 people like this.
  8. tleonhar

    tleonhar Senior Member

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    That's what the flight attendant was wearing... :D
     
    #48 tleonhar, Jun 30, 2009
  9. bevspark

    bevspark Toyota, Major Sponsors of The

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    I'm only half way through my life then, wow. Here I was thinking I was on my last legs. :p
     
    #49 bevspark, Jun 30, 2009
  10. bevspark

    bevspark Toyota, Major Sponsors of The

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    #50 bevspark, Jun 30, 2009
  11. bevspark

    bevspark Toyota, Major Sponsors of The

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    It is like most things isn't it. Even though we are lucky we can see and read about a lot of things from our computers, you can't beat seeing something in person.:rockon:
     
    #51 bevspark, Jun 30, 2009
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Serious? Do they just throw that person out of the plane to act as landing lights then? :D
     
    #52 F8L, Jun 30, 2009
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Jayman and I have been trying to tell Daniel that but he stubbornly refuses to go on a date with a girl. :humble:
     
    #53 F8L, Jun 30, 2009
  14. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    I'd be happy to build him a robot woman

    Or a robot sheep
     
    #54 jayman, Jun 30, 2009
  15. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Worked fine for me. Did you try clearing the browser cache, reloading the link? The photo #35 is animated, to show various phases of the aurora borealis.

    Perhaps missing a browser plugin?
     
    #55 jayman, Jun 30, 2009
  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Build me one while you're at it. The woman that is.....

    Back on topic!

    I can't wait to see the Grand Canyon. I've spent so much time learning about that I know I'm just going to go into geological babble once I'm there. :)
     
    #56 F8L, Jun 30, 2009
  17. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    um, we went parasailing over the outer banks... that was a cool sight. mainland, sound, islands, ocean all visible.

    man. i really can't compete with you people. unless you want a competition of most hours spent writing a dissertation in one sitting, in which case i would blow you all away
     
    #57 galaxee, Jun 30, 2009
  18. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Wanna bet? I'm a master at bulls*** .... I mean, dissertation writing
     
    #58 jayman, Jun 30, 2009
  19. bevspark

    bevspark Toyota, Major Sponsors of The

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    I got it thanks. That is amazing. :rockon:
     
    #59 bevspark, Jun 30, 2009
  20. bevspark

    bevspark Toyota, Major Sponsors of The

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    :pound:
     
    #60 bevspark, Jun 30, 2009
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