Aurora photography - Intensity of colours

[WynneP]

In the last 12 months have travelled to Northern extremes (Iceland & Norway) in search of the aurora, whilst the solar cycle is near its maximum. Have had some luck, with sightings in Norway and Iceland. But these were generally white/grey or green. I was able to photograph one display, from a moving ship, which resulted in some blurring. However, the colour (green) was somewhat more intense in the photos than it was visually. I am wondering if it is ever possible to see the intense purples, reds and yellows seen in some photos with the naked eye. Or can this phenomena be only captured photographically? Anyone had any relevant experience?

[pluto]

I have seen and photographed green and purple/pink aurora. The green aurora, like you describe, ranged from grey to bright green.
I only saw the purple aurora once, for about an hour, and it was quite faint but it looked like a pale pink salmon colour. I could also see the green/yellowish glow below the pink like in some of these pics, though much less intense of course:
http://hughsblog.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/aurora-australis/

[Forgey]

Peter, our eyes are not sensitive enough to see the intense colours.
This will explain it more http://www.universetoday.com/105496/technicolor-auroras-a-reality-check/
Its the same if we look at nebula through our telescope we are not able to see the colours.
A camera does not have the human eye's limitations and is able to capture the aurora with the full spectrum of light.

[Paul Haese]

Actually that is not strictly correct Paula.

I have seen colour in M42 through a 22" telescope and several other PN's with red and blue/purple.

My mother and father witnessed aurora as children in South Australia during the 56-58 maximum. The aurora extended to the zenith and according to them ranged from green to red to purple and it all happened on many nights.

In short the colour seen is due to the intensity of the light entering the eyes. Colour is often seen in large telescopes because the light is very bright and that triggers the colour being seen in the eye. Aurora are the same, this cycle has been quite subdued and so the storms have been not bright. If we had KP8 or KP9 displays with a good south BZ, then we would be witnessing colour too.

So for the most part you are correct but there are exceptions. :)

[Forgey]

I Agree with you Paul, I can actually see a green colour in M42 but it's not like you see in advertised pictures selling telescopes. :thumbsup:

[Paul Haese]

Yes true. In my mates 22" I see red, green and blue. The reds are the most striking. It is vibrant and clearly evident, not subtle at all. Bigger scopes show more colour still. Certainly you don't see the full colour like in the images.

[Octane]

I saw greens and purples easily when in Iceland in February this year.

This video will show you exactly what I witnessed. I was on the other side of this lake:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TKTqxvndHo

An incredible experience.

H