Solar Eclipse and Auroras

[thunderchildobs]

The March 20th 2015 solar eclipse is in the region of Norway.

I was wondering, during totality would it possible to see Aurora?

Brendan

[slt (Gunther)]

Yes you would!

But more accurately than "region of Norway" would be to say it's in the Norwegian Sea/North Atlantic, and the path of totality touches land only in the Faroe Islands and Svalbard.

Having spent two weeks in the region in March this year I would guesstimate the chance of seeing totality from land to be 5-10%. And the chances of seeing a good aurora display, a couple of years past solar max, simultaneously with totality would be far less. Keep in mind that from a place lake Faroe the aurora would be visible towards the north (unless it's a massive display) and the sun (during totality) would sit low on the south-eastern horizon.

Even so, I'm tentatively planning a visit...

[andyc (Andy)]

I think your chances of seeing an aurora from the Faroes is pretty good (if clear) - the chances are much better than Scotland, and when I was in Iceland for work you had a very high chance indeed, so long as it was dark enough and clear enough. Faroes isn't all that much further south, but cloudy as hell. It's not too far from solar max as well, even with a lower solar max I think you'll have a decent chance ... ... IF it's clear!!