Andy McK Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Hi all,I'm taking a week in the west highlands of Scotland, do you think there would be a chance to see the Aurora?Currently in Fort William, making our way to Inverness the morrow.Just wondering (thu noo) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digz Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Check out aurora watch uk, this will give you kp readings. I think it needs to be 6 or above. I know it's been fluctuating lately with CMEs and activity from the sun, but I think its settled down a bit now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helite Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Thurso is your best bet, but that's a couple of hours north drive. I have seen them here in Inverness a couple of times but to be honest I think your chances would be slim, but stranger things have happened so make sure your out of town away from the light at about 1am and you might just get lucky! (clouds permitting) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul M Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 I think that at this time of year the darkest it gets all night long in Scotland is twilight or even bright twilight.That would likely drown out all but the very brightest Aurora. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naz Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Having lived in the north of Scotland and Orkney, you can forget astronomy and any chance of aurora for the next month, the sky does not get dark enough. You will have twilight at best and it will be the end of August before you start getting any darkness for any amount of time. The brightest planets, the Moon and Sun would be your only chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bejay1957 Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 If you follow Aurorawatch's twitter feed you can set up for TXT alerts to your mobile. That said, I didn't receive any alert on 25 May when aurora events were seen in northern Scotland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul M Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 If you follow Aurorawatch's twitter feed you can set up for TXT alerts to your mobile. That said, I didn't receive any alert on 25 May when aurora events were seen in northern ScotlandI suspect that it was not an Aurora seen then but Noctilucent clouds.They have been on display over the last week or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosencratz Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 I suspect that it was not an Aurora seen then but Noctilucent clouds.They have been on display over the last week or so.I don't know how reliable these maps are yet but it doesn't look likely:http://lasp.colorado.edu/aim/cips/data/repository/prelim/current_daisy.png Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul M Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 I don't know how reliable these maps are yet but it doesn't look likely:http://lasp.colorado...rrent_daisy.pngInteresting image. Never seen that one before.The beginning of the recent apparition was around the 25th : http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/186798-noctilucent-clouds-from-kelso/page__hl__+noctilucent%20+clouds#entry1951899Given the time of year ( twilit sky), the lack of solar activity and a full moon I'd be quite surprised if an aurora had been observed that night from the UK.NLC generally have much higher surface brightness and contrast than aurorae so can been seen in much less favourable sky conditions. The archive image for the 25th from the site you linked to does show a bright area of NLC directly north of the UK. They can be seen over a considerable distance due to their altitude.But you never know!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy McK Posted June 6, 2013 Author Share Posted June 6, 2013 Thanks all for the reply'sIt is a little cloudy and not very dark.Ben Nevis summit is still covered with snow,Global warming ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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