Aurora Australis

[EGartin]

Good Evening,

I've been doing a little bit of research about the Aurora for the southern hemisphere, and haven't found all the answers I'm looking for.

My girlfriend is deploying to Iraq, and I want to propose to her underneath the Aurora Australis when she gets back in 2011. I'm trying to figure out when the next solar maximum is, or rather what winter months for the south are generally best to see the aurora from. I'm thinking April to August time frame... If anyone could give me advice on where we should stay in New Zealand, (I know we need to be on the southern island, Invercargill?) and if there are any special boats or anything that take you further south and away from the city lights so you can see it better. Also, looking for beautiful spots with the crystal clear blue water that I've seen in pictures, and if anyone knows anything about Zorbs, I could use a little schooling on that as well.

I was looking at this website, but was hoping for local opinions and pattern analysis to help with my plans for 2011.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapS.html

Thank you all for your time.


"Secure the high ground"

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

Hi,

Your problem is that no can ever predict an aurora more than a day or so out (usually takes 1-2 days for a flare to reach us, but big ones can travel the distance in 18-24 hours).

New Zealand would be a good place to try, since it is closest to the south magnetic pole. It would give you the greatest chance, but again no guarantee, since that depends on the sun's activity at the time.

For some unknown reason the best time to catch aurorae is around the time of the equinoxes - so March-April or Sept-October, so if you are going to take the chance those times would be best.

Because of the long minimum just gone, the best fit model for this solar cycle indicates that maximum will be in 2013. However big flares can occur at anytime.

You can only do your best to get all factors together, but it will be pot-luck with solar activity, I think.

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

yes its very hit and miss- sign up with

http://www.ips.gov.au/

and ask for an aurora alert

and you will get an email advising you of auroral activity

i have been on for years and let me tell you the last year or so hasn't been all that good but hopefully it should pick up

still to actually sight an aurora myself

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

I should add that the best place to learn about it is at the Spaceweather site. The site you list there just gives you current activity and is a bit technical. Spaceweather will give you a heads-up on possible auroral activity as it comes through.

[EGartin]

Thank you my friends for the information. Now does anyone know anything about the whole boat or spaces away from the city that are best for it?

I was just thinking about this as well, do you think it would be easier to see aurora borealis than aurora australis? I'm thinking going to Alaska may be cheaper than going to New Zealand.

Thanks again for your help.

[citivolus (Ric)]

Yes, Alaska or the Canadian North are good places for aurora, with much more regularity than the south due the the latitudes you can achieve while still being in fairly civilised areas and also could prove cheaper to get to than New Zealand. As an example, Queenstown, on the south island of NZ, is only 45 degrees south. That is the northern hemisphere equivalent of Portland. As you are well aware, there is much of North America north of that point.

From growing up in Alberta at 52 degrees north, I remember having visible aurora at least once a week during winter months around solar maximum, and often strings of 4-5 nights in a row. It was hardly predictable that far south though.

Places like Alaska, Whitehorse, and Yellowknife are all situated well inside the normal range of the auroral oval. Other factors to consider are length of day and season; for example you'll have a tough time spotting aurora in Anchorage from May through September, when the sky there never really gets all that dark.

While your best bet might be Fairbanks in January, it would not only be in the wrong month for you, but it would be damn cold, especially on a boat. You'd have to pry her gloves off to stick the ring on.