Northern lights

Thats cool. How often do you see them? Do they come in different colors? Saw them here in Connecticut many years ago but i think they were red.

 

That’s a rabbit hole question, the northern lights are formed by the earth’s magnetic field, I believe most are from partials from solar flares. Color is from gas in the atmosphere, green is from oxygen (most common gas), blue from nitrogen, if I remember. From the pics you can see, green, pink, blue and purple one May hay a hint of red.

 

How often do they happen? Is it nightly, or rare?

 

Amazing sight! Thanks for sharing Tom.

 

I would think they are 24/7. The intensity is not this vibrant constantly, many times it’s just a slight green hew/glow. I think we get 8-10 of this intensity a year. When the suns out you can see them.

 

Last night.

 

They are really cranking it. Nice.

 

Thanks for sharing, brother. I wonder if you could see them in September. We are gonna cruise to Alaska 1 yr. Had a trip booked for Sept '20 that got cancelled...
GOD'S creation is so beautiful

 

Yes, it’s a darkness thing and no clouds. Sept 22?

 

These are from September 15 at moose camp.

 

Thanks for posting the pics Rope. I've seen some pics and vids before, but had never really thought much about them. My wife has been pressing me for "what are your thoughts for retirement" (I'll hit 30 years in 10, who knows if Ill want or be able to). I've never been one to think a lot about that far off, but between her "prodding" and your pics, I have put "see the Northern lights" on my list.

 

They are something to behold, magical even devine. If you have ever seen a super clear night and viewed the constellation and felt moved, then northern lights will take your breath away.

 

You are right Rope They really are a magical sight. I saw a great display almost 60 years ago when I was living just 50 miles from where I am now. I remember laying down on a hillside and just admiring the dancing colors. I would love to see them again. Thanks for posting your pics.

 

Yep, I got to thinking the other night...I've seen the Southern Cross, I'd like to see the Northern lights.

 

No sir, won't be next year. Have a Caribbean trip booked for March '22. And that depends on vaccine requirements......

 

Thanks for the pictures. Of all the times I have been to Alaska I have never seen them. Maybe spend New Years with my sister in Anchorage?

 

Absolutely, your going to need to drive away from the artificial light. The joke in Alaska is “Anchorage is next door to Alaska.”

 

Thank you for posting, I have reread your comments several times Erik B. The memory you have from seeing the northern lights 60 years ago has struck a cord. I have reflected over my lifetime of the events that Mother Nature has provided me, in particular here in Alaska. I will share one fond memory from a few years back. I was Dall sheep hunting with my two older boys, the oldest was to turn 11. When we were in town getting groceries I snuck in 3 honey buns and chocolate milks. On Tommy’s birthday I broke out the chocolate milk and honey buns and a birthday candle out of my pack. We celebrated at 7,500 feet in the Wrangle mountains. Mind you that the 11 year old was a little sad just before this and had talked about not have a birthday party on his birthday and he was missing all his friends. This is when I broke out the supplies of honey buns and chocolate milk. He opened his birthday gift of a hunting knife. He was a happy boy. I told that young man, think about that there are 7-8 billion people alive on earth. And how many people had already passed on, but how many of the had celebrated a birthday on top of a mountain. Any time any birthday conversation comes up he gets the biggest smile on his face and recounts his 11th birthday. I couldn’t find the pics of the birthday honey buns, here are just a few from the trip.
Just to the right of the last pic, there are the sheep the closest we could get was 1,300 yards line of sight. My boys were a little to talkative and kept them pushed at a distance. What memories we have if that adventure. After that photo, we continued up the ridge line to close the distance as the elevation climbed the ridge top narrowed. When the width of the mountain top did not stick out wider than my boot. And each one of my trekking poles was on a different side of the mountain with heavy packs on our backs. I called off the chase, when the boys stopped chit chatting and were quiet, I knew they were concentrating on foot placement. This was a good time to retreat back to safety and gather a new route. Upon reflection back at the wide spot of the mountain top, that was the safest route, the birthday boy was less anxious to try that again, we watched the sheep until it was time to pitch camp and turn in.