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APOD: September Aurora (2012 Sep 21)
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 4:06 am
by APOD Robot
September Aurora
Explanation: September's
equinox arrives tomorrow as the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. The event marks the astronomical beginning of spring in the southern hemisphere and autumn in the north. And though
the connection is still puzzling, the equinox seasons bring an increase in geomagnetic storms. So as northern nights grow longer, the equinox also heralds the arrival of a good season for
aurora hunters. Recorded on September 20,
these colorful northern lights were captured with camera and wide-angle lens near the Norwegian Sea coast outside Tromsø in Northern Norway.
Shining at altitudes of 100 kilometers or so, the aurora rays are parallel, but perspective makes them appear to radiate from a vanishing point behind the silhouetted pine tree. Stars in this enchanting northern night
include Polaris above and right of the tree top, and yellowish giant stars
Shedar (Alpha Cassiopiae) to the left and
Kochab (Beta Ursae Minoris) to the right. Bright
Altair shines through the greenish auroral curtain at the lower left of the scene.
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Re: APOD: September Aurora (2012 Sep 21)
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 4:38 am
by Ann
This is a very striking and good-looking APOD. The pine tree looks like some sort of firecracker spouting stars and colored lights.
Beautiful!
Ann
Re: APOD: September Aurora (2012 Sep 21)
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 7:32 am
by george edwards
I see a bright star above and right of the tree as indicated for Polaris, the north star, but do not see
the little dipper constellation it is part of. Why?
Re: APOD: September Aurora (2012 Sep 21)
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 9:56 am
by Locutus
I'm also having trouble finding the mentioned stars, other than Polaris...
Re: APOD: September Aurora (2012 Sep 21)
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 11:07 am
by Indigo_Sunrise
I'll take a stab at it:
I've circled the three stars in question - Shedar, Kochab and Altair - now here's hoping they are correct. I'm sure other forumites will be along to fix my bads, if needed!
Anyway, hope that helps!
p.s. Pretty APOD!
![thumb up :thumb_up:](./images/smilies/thumb_up.gif)
Re: APOD: September Aurora (2012 Sep 21)
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:51 pm
by Boomer12k
Pretty APOD!!!
:---[===] *
Re: APOD: September Aurora (2012 Sep 21)
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 3:44 pm
by Moonlady
Wow, pretty big aurorae! Great angle!
Re: APOD: September Aurora (2012 Sep 21)
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 3:57 pm
by LocalColor
Wonderful photo today!
(It is too smoky where we live to see the sky - telescope sits and waits.)
Re: APOD: September Aurora (2012 Sep 21)
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 7:27 pm
by Joe Stieber
Locutus wrote:I'm also having trouble finding the mentioned stars, other than Polaris...
Here's my labeled version...
![Image](http://wasociety.us/images/APOD_20-Sept-2012_labels.jpg)