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Hi guys. Something the other day made me start thinking about "The things I would like to do". Not necessarily a bucket list, but well... Yeah, Ok. My bucket list.
Skydiving, check.
I've always wanted to see the northern lights. Could anyone who has seen them recommend a good place (State / Country / Town / hotel / lodge / cabin / whatever) & time of year to go see them? I'm ready to put this trip on the front burner, but don't want to go anywhere just because I read some fakey review online.
Thanks always, Felix
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2274 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Felix, as far as the northern lights around here, it is a hit and miss sort of thing. Usually needs to be a very clear, cold night and you have to be in the country in total darkness away from artificial light.
I happen to live on the 45th parallel, viewing these may improve the further north one goes.
-------------------- Curt Stenz Graphics 700 Squirrel Lane Marathon, WI 54448 Posts: 590 | From: Marathon, WI 54448 | Registered: Dec 1998
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Seems the northern climes are best, Felix. I saw them once in far northern Michigan; but I've heard folks say they're really bright and breath-taking up in Iceland or Alaska.
We were watching a nature program a few weeks ago, where these 2 couples, and a guide, were exploring the glaciers in Iceland. I don't know what time of year the program was, but during the early evening hours, the northern lights appeared, and were truly spectacular.
You might try to contact Neil Butler. He lives somewhere up in that neck of the woods.
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Felix...I used to see them many times as a kid in Northern Ontario Canada.
In recent years I have seen them as far south as Midland Michigan.
As others have mentioned, you have to be out in the country and away from "city lights" to fully enjoy them.
I would humbly suggest somewhere in northern Ontario or anywhere else in a small community in Canada.
And full winter and early spring or late fall are the best times of year. (Think a wee bit colder than you are used to in PR!!! LOL)
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
Let's say two months from now the Aurora is flaring up in your area -- the sky is ablaze with greens, violets and reds -- but instead of watching it, you're home sitting on the couch.
Why? Because you simply didn't know about it.
That's one of the problems with seeing the Aurora. It doesn’t run on a schedule. Often Auroras happen with only 30 minutes warning.
I've seen them several times here in Upper Michigan, but I've never seen the spectacular ribbon type Aurora's like I've seen in some videos. I believe the most spectacular aurora's are the most visible as far north as you can get. But even then, it's hit & miss. Check out some Aurora web sites. It might help to know when NASA is saying there is going to be major sun eruptions.
This website shows solar wind updates but if you're really serious about it you may have to be ready to book a last minute flight on the spur of the moment.
You have to know when they will appear and also be lucky enough to be at the right location at the right time. (And not relaxing on the couch watching the latest episode of your favourite TV show)
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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It was about 30 years ago that a good friend and I were star gazing...we both had developed an interest in astronomy and it was not uncommon for us to be out at night star gazing...one night as we were looking skyward long vertical bands of light began to appear and dance across a large portion of the northern sky...although the colors were fainter than what I had seen in pictures my first impression was that we were witnessing the Northern Lights...my friend said that it would be impossible and reminded me of where we live...rural southern Tennessee about 30 miles north of the Alabama border...David Crockett State Park was a short distance to our north and on occasions theatrical performances were put on there...we both decided that these shafts of light must be beacons shooting into the sky from such a performance...the next night I happened to watch The Nashville News...the lead story was that of the surprise occurrence of the Northern Lights appearing over the Tennessee skies the night before...so on at least one rare occasion the Northern Lights have occurred as far south as southern Tennessee...it was something I'll never forget.
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CARIBOU MAINE.....45th....xxxxxx PARALLEL. we used to watch em 1970-73......and they are really great if your stoned))))))
[ May 11, 2015, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A high-speed stream solar wind is buffeting Earth's magnetic field, and this is causing geomagnetic storms around the poles. Last night during a G2-class disturbance, Northern Lights spilled across the Canadian border into several US states.
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