Aurora 8th Oct 2012

[apaulo]

Hello Everyone

Well this Aurora took us by suprise!
Last night the K-index was at level 5 when I checked the space weather pages, the K-Wing page predicted the K-index was going to hit 7~8.
So again I placed the Camera on the back Veranda and there was colour in the photo. I drove down to my usual haunt and started imaging.
I took two hours worth of photos but the cloud made it's usual appearence.
Anyway this is what I got..the image has been processed alittle carelessly but it was Midnight when I did it.

http://s1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/apaulo1966/?action=view&current=_IGP9231.jpg

Pentax K-x
30 sec sub @ iso 3200
14mm Samyang lens

Regards Paul (Yawn) apaulo.

[Paul Haese]

Nice work Paul. I was keeping an eye out at Clayton but did not see anything in the sky all night. One day I will see one. Cannot quite believe I have never seen one in 37 years of looking up.

[Larryp]

Great shot!

[BenK]

Great photo Paul!
I like the wide angle.

We saw the Aurora clearly here (Eaglehawk Neck) from about 11pm, before then it was clouds... I hope I've attached a few photos I took last night also.
The images were taken from various locations on the tasman peninsula
I'm still experimenting with ISO and exposure... it's the first time I've had the chance to use my camera for Aurora shots.

I'm hoping over the next 12 months the sun really fires up and puts on a show!

Ben

[iceman]

So jealous! Great shots.

[apaulo]

Hi Ben

Great shots there mate. There is a sort of a "gold standard" when imaging an aurora in my opinion.
30 second subs @ iso 3200 between f/stop of 2.8 and 3.5
I use a nice Samyang 14mm 2.8 wide angle lens.

Paul
Thanks for the comments, not sure how close you are to coast in SA whereas I live on the surf coast with clear views to celestrial south ;)

Tnx Larry.

Tnx Mike, it was a real suprise this one! No Solar flare noted or recorded, out of the blue this one..

Regards Paul.

[h0ughy]

it would be great to witness one of these let alone capture one

[alexch]

Very nice image, Paul. This one was quite green and very strong.
Hopefully more to come this solarmax.

Cheers,
Alex

[BenK]

Thanks for the comments.

Thanks also for the tips! :thumbsup:
I want to experiment getting more detail from the moving rays and curtains, because on some of my photos with a longer exposure they just come out as a glowing area...
I'd love a lens like that, I'm just using the 18-200 tamron I got with my Canon 550D.

Paul, not sure if you asked? but I live in SE Tasmania, on the Tasman Peninsula, there's some great spots here to get water in the foreground of aurora shots, which gives a nice reflection.

I'm looking forward to the next Aurora now

Ben

[apaulo]

Tnx Dave and Alex.

Ben look up Samyang on ebay mate.

Alex did the sky clear up later on?

The Aurora was becoming stronger as you know but the cloud cover was horrible.

The video is available too

https://vimeo.com/51030741

Regards Paul.

[Lester]

Top photos Paul and Ben. Thanks for the views. I only got a slight hint of yellow in one of my images, mainly reds.

[CapturingTheNight]

Fantastic shots Paul and Ben :thumbsup: It has been a great couple of nights for aurora activity. I have had only about 5 hours sleep over the last two nights. Work is going to be fun today....

[Forgey]

Very nice Paul!, I hope to get down to the peninsula one day to capture it.