Anyone ever see the Northern Lights?

[The Internet]

I'm sure SOMEONE on this board has. I never have! I'm so jealous! Before I die, I would love to see them.

What's it like? I know some friends in Canada see them so much they're completely blase about it. Are they totally resplendent all the time? Or are there different "degrees" of how strong they are? Is there are a sound, or an electricity in the air, the way you can sense a thunderstorm coming? Can you predict when they'll appear, or is it like a rainbow, you just get lucky.

 

[milagros317]

I saw them a few times on a visit to Sweden in 1979. Much more color in the night sky some days than others, you just have to get lucky. Mostly green and pink. I heard no sound at all.

 

[marchmellow004]

I live where you can see the Northern lights now and again. I've seen them on several occasions. Both from just at my house and while out hunting/camping type deal. They are amazing, there are no words that anyone could say to give you the feeling of what's it like to see them with your own eyes. Sometimes they are very strong and sometimes weaker in the sky. There is no sound what so ever, you just have to be lucky enough to see them. I am unsure if they can be predicted or not; but none-the-less they are a sight everyone should get to see once in their lives.

I hope you get to see them some day. :3

 

[Bator]

It's common to see them anywhere above 60 degrees latitude and after a solar storm. Here is a photo that was taken approximately 45 min from where I live but we see them here as well. They are a spectacular sight to behold.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/trending/pho...rthern-lights-after-the-solar-storm-1.2765939

 

[The Internet]

You lucky bastards! lol

One day!

 

[Bugman]

It's common to see them anywhere above 60 degrees latitude and after a solar storm. Here is a photo that was taken approximately 45 min from where I live but we see them here as well. They are a spectacular sight to behold.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/trending/pho...rthern-lights-after-the-solar-storm-1.2765939

Beautiful pictures, thanks for the link. Does the time of year make any difference? Maybe they are more prevalent in the summer, or winter?

 

[Bator]

Beautiful pictures, thanks for the link. Does the time of year make any difference? Maybe they are more prevalent in the summer, or winter?

You would think the seasons would be a factor but they are really not. It basically depends on when the sun reflects off the polar icecaps. The closer you are to the north or south pole the better chance you have of seeing them. I hope that didn't seem like a stupid answer lol

 

[rdhd]

An aurora can happen any time of the year; depends on how much activity happens on the sun. A more energetic sun, the more likely to see an aurora, and the lower the latitude one can be seen. As far as sounds, I think they can RARELY make a crackling sound, but it is very rare, and only if the aurora itself gets very near the surface during unusually energetic events (it usually occurs far up in the atmosphere).

 

[Bator]

An aurora can happen any time of the year; depends on how much activity happens on the sun. A more energetic sun, the more likely to see an aurora, and the lower the latitude one can be seen. As far as sounds, I think they can RARELY make a crackling sound, but it is very rare, and only if the aurora itself gets very near the surface during unusually energetic events (it usually occurs far up in the atmosphere).

Exactly! And I have heard of the crackling sounds as well.`

 

[Bator]

You lucky bastards! lol

One day!

Put it on your bucket list lol

 

[Bugman]

You would think the seasons would be a factor but they are really not. It basically depends on when the sun reflects off the polar icecaps. The closer you are to the north or south pole the better chance you have of seeing them. I hope that didn't seem like a stupid answer lol

No, not stupid at all. Makes sense to me.

 

[BlasterMaster]

Nope. 🙁