AstroLandscapes #66 - The Great Aurora Storm

[FenlandPaul]

I'm still in a state of mild shock after this incredible display, and finally got to look at all the incredible images here on SGL this afternoon - so awesome to see such a wonderful event seen by so many.

I was out shooting and filming and doing some drone hyperlapse from dusk until dawn - calves cramping up and worth every bit of discomfort.  I began to run out of superlatives by the middle of the night.  I know my story won't be unique!

Anyway, without wittering on, here's my film of the night - one to maybe sit and enjoy with your favourite tipple or morning coffee.  I really hope you enjoy it.  And a small collection of my favourite images beneath.  

Anyone else still fall asleep blissfully while dreaming about that night??

 

 

 

 

 

[Rustang]

Awesome! 👍

[Ludd]

Amazing video Paul!  Thanks for all the work you put into these.  Your excitement when you realised the whole sky was purple was brilliant, exactly my reaction when it dawned on me that I was not looking at hazy cloud. 

[clarkpm4242]

@FenlandPaul I think its called 'Aurora Euphoria'!!  Really captured the excitement of the night.  So many cool segments.  The vertical lapse over the 1 mile scope, the big pano, line dancing scopes...

...fantastic.  Reward for the hours put in.  Cheers, Paul,

29 minutes ago, Ludd said:

exactly my reaction when it dawned on me that I was not looking at hazy cloud. 

Yep!!

[FenlandPaul]

14 minutes ago, clarkpm4242 said:

 

...fantastic.  Reward for the hours put in.  Cheers, Paul,

Yep!!

Really appreciate that, Paul - this event has spoiled us a bit though, eh? 
 

47 minutes ago, Ludd said:

Amazing video Paul!  Thanks for all the work you put into these.  Your excitement when you realised the whole sky was purple was brilliant, exactly my reaction when it dawned on me that I was not looking at hazy cloud. 

Thanks so much - a lot of work but very enjoyable and I get to relive those precious moments over and over!!

[The Admiral]

Aurora photography at its best. Brilliant, as usual Paul! And what a backdrop.

I presume flying a drone around the dishes doesn't cause any interference or other issues?

Ian

[FenlandPaul]

Thank you, Ian.

21 minutes ago, The Admiral said:

I presume flying a drone around the dishes doesn't cause any interference or other issues?

Ian

To my knowledge, no, as they operate at entirely different frequencies. There’s no CAA restricted airspace, but you’ll note that I stop short of actually flying over the top of them (I cut just before an abrupt volte-face). The One Mile  is decommissioned so no problems there.

[clarkpm4242]

Where are the outtakes set to the Benny Hill theme tune, or was it just me...

Edited May 19 by clarkpm4242

[AstroNebulee]

I'm utterly speechless Paul. But I will prattle on a few words. Mesmerising, beautiful, serene, grounding, butterflies in the stomach, amazement, just some words to describe that Aurora display of Friday 10th May 2024. 

You have magnificently captured it with such mastery and expertise. I just don't know how you managed to treats such a coherent journal. I know I was dumbfounded and gasping lost for words witnessing what I was seeing here in North Cornwall. 

It seemed a night that many people came together to witness a truly magical event in the sky, I too had people close by all in the fields and around and hearing their voices filled with wonder is something I'm not used to be a line Astrophotograper but brought us as one and hopefully many more have now caught the Astronomy /Astrophotography bug. 

I want to say thank you, your art of capturing the images is second to none and I am continuing to learn so much from you. 

Ps if you ever decide to print the 3rd image of the complete Auroa arc with the dish I'd absolutely love to own a copy by the master. 

Clear skies and onto maybe more Aurora and hopefully this year Noctilucents.

Clear skies 

 

Lee

[FenlandPaul]

3 minutes ago, AstroNebulee said:

l

Clear skies and onto maybe more Aurora and hopefully this year Noctilucents.

Clear skies 

 

Lee

Thanks for your kind comments, Lee. Glad it brought back memories of that epic night. I’m so glad you managed to catch it as well - and superb to be able to hear others in the distance marvelling at it all. Usually I like being alone but that night I was very happy to share the experience with others - I think that’s called personal growth!! 🤣🤣

[radiofm74]

I was sadly unable to observe the Aurora as – incredibly for such a passionate amateur astronomer as myself – I was unaware at the moment it happened, and when I realised I was under Bortle 9 skies. I'm very sad that I missed the event, but your video and your incredible pictures is the closest I could have to being under that spectacular sky. Thanks a lot!

PS: as you guess, I've now set up every kind of clock and alarm imaginable should such an event repeat itself… it's my understanding that until 2025 it's a good idea to keep an eye out!

[scotty1]

Excellent 

The opening shot- did you launch the drone, then drive a bit stop, and then land the drone? 🤔

Edited May 19 by scotty1

[FenlandPaul]

1 hour ago, scotty1 said:

Excellent 

The opening shot- did you launch the drone, then drive a bit stop, and then land the drone? 🤔

Thanks so much - appreciated.

So welcome to the glorious faff of making these videos. I parked, set up the normal video camera, launched the drone, set up the shot, drove out of shot, turned round, drove back, recovered the drone.
 

Sounds a bit ridiculous when I say it all! 

[glafnazur]

Wow, absolutely awesome video Paul. All your images are wonderful but that 3rd one is possibly the best aurora image I've seen, truly amazing. I was fortunate to see it with some members of my local astro society (we'd just finished a party for our 50th anniversary) I'll never forget what an amazing night it was.

[scotty1]

43 minutes ago, FenlandPaul said:

Thanks so much - appreciated.

So welcome to the glorious faff of making these videos. I parked, set up the normal video camera, launched the drone, set up the shot, drove out of shot, turned round, drove back, recovered the drone.
 

Sounds a bit ridiculous when I say it all! 

I thought he's not driving and flying the drone at the same time 🙃  

That's a lot of work for those vlogs no doubt. After all that preparation, at least the Aurora made it worthwhile.  

 

[scotty1]

Was all the filming done on the same night as the Aurora ? Or did you plan ahead and take some driving shots days before?  

At 5.15 minutes in your video the Aurora is already starting to show. 

I remember seeing the scope array in the distance about 20 years ago and wondered what it was , while driving to Barrington. Didn't know I'd see the array again in your vlogs, I'd forgotten about it. 

Edited May 20 by scotty1

[FenlandPaul]

5 hours ago, scotty1 said:

Was all the filming done on the same night as the Aurora ? Or did you plan ahead and take some driving shots days before?  

At 5.15 minutes in your video the Aurora is already starting to show. 

It was all done on the same night. I arrived on location at about 8.30. It makes for a crazy busy night but I enjoy it. Occasionally for my videos I do some b-roll shot at other times but it’s not usually necessary if I get somewhere before it’s dark.