Photo by Fred Hirschmann Talkeetna Mountains Pentax 654N, 45mm f/2.8 20 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 400 Fuji Provia Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

NEW YEAR’S DAY Space Weather 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 Definitions

Sunspot: Dark, cooler areas on the solar surface that contain strong, constantly shifting magnetic fields. Full moon 10:21 am Solar Storms: There are two 5 6 7 8 9 10  11 kinds of solar storms that can result in ejected particles that travel close to the speed of light. Storms peak during the solar maximum.

Coronal Mass Ejection (CME): Explosive outbursts of plasma 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 from the sun’s outer atmosphere. The plasma expands to more than 30 million miles by the time it reaches Earth.

Solar Flare: Huge explosions on MARTIN LUTHER New moon the sun, typically lasting minutes KING, JR. or hours. 19 20 (observed) 21 22 23 24 25

Solar Wind: A stream of charged particles (a plasma) released from the upper atmosphere of the sun, consisting mostly of electrons and protons.

Interplanetary Magnetic Field: 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 The sun’s magnetic field carried by the solar wind among the planets of the Solar System.

The Aurora Calendar

DECEMBER 2019 FEBRUARY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2020 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 January

Photo by Todd Salat Portage Lake Nikon D800E, 14mm f/1.8 2.0 sec., @ f/2.0, ISO 1250 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday What Causes the Aurora? 26 27 28 29 30 31 1

Marmot Day Full moon (Alaska) 10:33 pm The aurora are caused by solar 2 3 4 5 6 7 8  storms that throw huge numbers of fast-moving electrons and protons away from the sun in a twisting mass of electric and magnetic fields. These microscopic particles typically Abraham Lincoln Valentine’s Day take two days to travel the 9 10 11 12 1809-1865 13 14 15 150-million kilometers from the sun to Earth.

These energetic electrons and protons initially move past Earth for several thousands of miles before traveling back Elizabeth Peratrovich PRESIDENTS’ DAY Heritage Day George Washington Day (Yukon Territory) 1732-1799 along Earth’s magnetic field lines 16 (Alaska) 17 18 19 20 21 22 into Earth’s atmosphere. Then, through a process similar to that of a neon sign, they collide with the atoms and molecules of Earth’s atmosphere to create the light we call the aurora. Not all solar storms produce aurora. We New moon have a chance to see the auroras 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 only when the solar storm’s magnetic field couples with the Earth's magnetic field.

The Aurora Calendar

JANUARY MARCH 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2020 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 February Photo by Carl Johnson Turnagain Arm Tidal Flats Nikon D800E, 14-24mm f/2.8 6 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 3200 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Susan Butcher Day (Alaska) The 11 Year Solar Cycle 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Daylight Savings Full moon Time begins 9:47 am 8 9  10 11 12 13 14 The gigantic electric and begins magnetic sun storms that create the aurora follow an 11-year cycle of activity, with the recent peak that occurred in 2013.

St. Patrick’s Day Spring Equinox It is an 11-year cycle (or half of a 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22-year cycle) because sunspots appear in pairs with a signature of magnetically "north" or magnetically "south." At the end of 11 years, the spots switch their signature from "south" to "north" (or vice versa) and begin a new New moon solar cycle. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

The 11 year sun cycle is not always exact, and throughout history it has seen periods of significant variation.

Vietnam Veterans’ Seward’s Day 29 Day (Alaska) 30 (Alaska) 31 1 2 3 4

The Aurora Calendar

FEBRUARY APRIL 1 1 2 3 4 2020 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 26 27 28 29 30 March

Photo by Daryl Pederson City Skyline, Anchorage Nikon D810, 17-35mm f/2.8 5 sec. @ f/2.8, ISO 800 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Can we Predict Auroras? 29 30 31 1 2 3 4

Full moon begins 6:35 pm 5 6 7  8 9 10 11

NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center We cannot accurately predict when aurora will occur on Earth. U.S. tax returns due However, we can predict how (Canada) close we are to the most active 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 sun storms based on the current solar cycle.

The storms originate well below the visible surface of the sun and can’t be seen until they pop out to New moon Arbor Day the outer layers of the sun, where we can then use many kinds of 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 instruments to diagnose what that storm consists of and what it might do.

Using instruments aboard the broad array of Sun-Earth orbiting space craft, we can now estimate the energy of these sun storms 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 and determine if the solar storm will get to Earth and result in aurora.

The Aurora Calendar

MARCH MAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 2020 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 April 31 Photo by Ronn Murray Spruce Trees, Interior Boreal Forest Canon 5D Mark III, Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 5 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 3200 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

The Aurora Colors 26 27 28 29 30 1 2

Full moon 2:45 am 3 4 5 6 7  8 9

The aurora occur most frequently from 60 to 200 miles (100-to Mothers’ Day Armed Forces Day 320 km) above Earth. Because 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 the composition of atmospheric gases varies depending on their distance from Earth’s surface, altitude influences aurora color.

The green and the deep red colors Victoria Day (Canada) New moon that often occur high in auroras Arbor Day appear when electrons collide 17 18 (Alaska only) 19 20 21 22 23 with atoms of atomic oxygen. The bluish-tinged vertical rays appear when electrons impact singly ionized molecules of nitrogen. The common magenta

lower borders appear when electrons impact molecules of nitrogen and oxygen. A faint 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 band of blue appears when protons impact hydrogen atoms in Earth’s high upper atmosphere. 31

The Aurora Calendar

APRIL JUNE 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 2020 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 May Photo by Myron Wright Turnagain Arm Ghost Forest Nikon D800E, Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 8 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 4500 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Full moon D-Day, 1944 Magnetic Midnight 11:12 am 31 1 2 3 4 5  6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Magnetic midnight is when the New moon magnetic pole, which is offset Summer Solstice 11 degrees from the geographic 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 pole, is opposite the high-noon sun on the other side of Earth. This actual time will vary based on your geographical position. This dark midnight sector makes the auroral crown of light Fathers’ Day that hovers over the northern 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 hemisphere appear brighter. This is why the brightest aurora are visible not at midnight by the clock but at magnetic midnight. As Earth spins on its axis during the half hour before and after magnetic midnight, there is an arc of proton and electron light 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 emissions that causes the aurora to go crazy and “break up” in bright, fast motions.

The Aurora Calendar

MAY JULY 1 2 1 2 3 4 2020 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 June 31 Photo by Patrick J Endres White Mountains National Recreation Area Cabin Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 24mm f/1.4 2 sec., @ f/1.4, ISO 1600 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Canada Day INDEPENDENCE (Canada) DAY Aurora Borealis and 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 Full moon Aurora Australis 8:44 pm 

5 6 7 8 9 Alaska Flag Day 10 11

Peter Reid, The University of Edinburgh

Our research at the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska has shown that the aurora of the northern hemisphere (the aurora borealis) and the aurora 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 of the southern hemisphere (the aurora australis) are mirror images of each other in time and space.

In quiet conditions, when the New moon Ted Stevens Day aurora is not very active or bright, (Alaska) the northern and southern aurora 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 move and brighten in sync.

26 Parents’ Day 27 28 29 30 31 1

The Aurora Calendar

JUNE AUGUST 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2020 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 July 30 31 Photo by Grant M Wilson Devils Thumb, Alaska Range Canon 6D, 16-35mm f/4 13 sec., @ f/4, ISO 1250 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Does the Aurora Affect 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 the Weather?

Civic Day (Canada) 2 3 Full moon 4 5 6 7 8 7:58 am 

photo by Patrick J Endres

Although there are “best” times of the year and night to see the aurora, they actually occur 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Even 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 in the warm summer months, the auroras are still active overhead, but in latitudes of the far north, the constant daylight prevents us from viewing them.

Discovery Day New moon We don’t think the appearance (Yukon Territory) of aurora affect local weather 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 and cause cold weather. Nor are auroras necessarily any more visible in colder temperatures. It’s just that we can see them best on clear nights—and in northern latitudes in the winter, clear usually also means cold. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

The Aurora Calendar

JULY SEPTEMBER 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 2020 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 26 27 28 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 August Photo by Amy J Johnson Fairbanks Canon 5D Mark III, 16-35mm f2.8 15 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 3200 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Full moon 9:22 pm Destination Alaska 30 31 1  2 3 4 5

LABOR DAY 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Fairbanks, Alaska, offers special advantages for those who want to see and photograph aurora. The Brooks Range mountains to Fairbanks’ north and the Alaska Grandparents’ Day New moon Range mountains to the south, begins block movements of moist air 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 and clouds. This gives the interior of Alaska (and Fairbanks in particular) a continental dry, cold climate and, therefore, frequently clear skies. Fairbanks is Alaska’s northernmost large city, and Fall Equinox therefore, views to the north are dark and free of significant light 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 pollution.

The typical aurora oval hovers around Earth’s magnetic poles and varies in its southerly reach

depending on the strength of begins solar storms. Most nights, this puts the northern aurora oval 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 right over the top of the southern part of the Brooks Range.

The Aurora Calendar

AUGUST OCTOBER 1 1 2 3 2020 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 September 30 31 Photo by Calvin Hall Knik River Valley Canon 5D Mark II, 24mmm f/1.4 1.6 sec., @ f/1.4, ISO 3200 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Full moon The 27-Day Solar Cycle 1:05 pm 27 28 29 30 1  2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

The solar storms that create the aurora often last several Earth months, with auroras that recur every 27 days. The 27-day solar cycle exists because the sun turns New moon on its axis once every 24 Earth (observed) 11 12 Thanksgiving 13 14 15 16 17 days. For example, a spot on the (Canada) Indigenous People’s Day sun’s face rotates once every 24 (Alaska) Earth days until it again faces Sirius, the dog star. But Earth orbits the sun once each 365 days. So in 24 Earth days, Earth

will have moved its orbit such Alaska Day observed that the sun needs to rotate the (Alaska) (Alaska) equivalent of three more Earth 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 days for the stormy sun spot to again line up with Earth.

Why the aurora recurs on a 27- day schedule was a mystery until astronauts obtained images of the sun storms in ultraviolet light Full moon 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 6:49 am that is absorbed by Earth’s lower  atmosphere. Today, satellites regularly provide ultraviolet images of solar storms.

The Aurora Calendar

SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2020 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 29 30 October Photo by Hugh Rose Mt. Sukakpak, Brooks Range Canon 5D Mark III, Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 4 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 3200 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Daylight Savings Election Day Aurora Shapes 1 Time ends 2 3 4 5 6 7

VETERANS DAY New moon Remembrance Day 8 9 10 11 (Canada) 12 13 14 photo by Patrick J Endres

Most often, the aurora appear as hanging curtains of light that are aligned from east to west along Earth’s magnetic field lines.

As the evening progresses, the aurora brightens and develops 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 vertical rays caused by electrical currents that flow down the magnetic field lines. As these currents get larger, huge folds develop into a myriad of twisting shapes, some which resemble THANKSGIVING Greek omega letters. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Scientists have determined mechanisms for some of these configurations, but are still trying to formulate a clear explanation for the general public. Full moon 12:29 am 29 30  1 2 3 4 5

Order your 2021 Aurora calendar today at www.GreatlandGraphics.com The Aurora Calendar

OCTOBER DECEMBER 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 2020 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 31 November

Photo by Marketa S Murray Cleary Summit Canon 5D Mark III, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 8 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 4000 Aurora Science Notes by Prof. Neal Brown Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Coronal Aurora 29 30 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 Pearl Harbor Day 8 9 10 begins 11 12 photo by Patrick J Endres

A completely awesome optical illusion is auroras that look like they are coming out of a single Get next year’s Aurora Calendar point in the sky. These are called at GreatlandGraphics.com coronal aurora because each ray New moon of the aurora is centered on a magnetic field line. The outer 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 edges of these rays are 62 miles (100 km) above Earth.

So when you follow each ray to the center, it’s the same optical

illusion as looking at railroad tracks that seem to narrow as (Canada) they disappear into the distance. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 This view occurs when the aurora is directly overhead and

the perspective is that of looking Winter Solstice Hours of daylight: Fairbanks: at curtains from directly below 3:42; Anchorage, 5:23; Juneau, as opposed to on the distant 6:21 horizon. Full moon New Year’s Eve 6:28 pm 27 28 29  30 31 1 2 Corona displays tend to occur near the time of solar midnight when the aurora breaks up into wild and fast moving shapes.

The Aurora Calendar

NOVEMBER JANUARY 2021 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 2020 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 December 31 Does the Aurora Affect Weather? for Fairbanks, AK, a Kp-index of only 1 is necessary. Neal Brown Although there are “best” times of the year and night to see aurora, Remember, these are geomagnetic latitudes and not they actually occur 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Even in the geographic latitudes. They are calculated from the Professor Emeritus & Scientist warm summer months, the aurora are still active overhead, but in latitudes of the far north, the constant daylight prevents us from geomagnetic North Pole that is 11.5 degrees off from University of Alaska Geophysical Institute viewing them. We don’t think the appearance of aurora affect local the geographic North Pole. weather and cause cold weather. Nor are aurora necessarily any Neal Brown came to Fairbanks in 1963 to undertake graduate studies of the aurora more visible in colder temperatures. It’s just that we can see them NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website best on cold, clear nights—and in northern latitudes in the winter, borealis at the world-famous Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska (swpc.noaa.gov) has many different graphs and aurora clear usually also means cold. Fairbanks. He remained there as a researcher/scientist for 47 years before retiring. forecast and prediction resources where you can access He was director of Poker Flat Research Range 1971 to 1989, taught science for The 27-Day Solar Cycle current Kp-index data. non-science majors, initiated several education-outreach programs while at UAF, The solar storms that create the aurora often last several Earth and was director of the State of Alaska Space Grant Program from 2002 to 2008. months, with auroras that recur every 27 days. The 27-day solar cycle is because the sun turns on its axis once every 24 Earth days. During his 49-year career, Neal has taught for a number of education programs, For example, a spot on the sun’s face rotates once every 24 Earth such as Elderhostel and the Osher Life Long Learning Institute, and he has days until it again faces Sirius, the dog star. But Earth orbits the sun appeared on several national television programs including Discovery Channel, once each 365 days. So in 24 Earth days, Earth will have moved its orbit such that the sun needs to rotate the equivalent of 3 more Newton’s Apple, and Good Morning America. He is currently the director of Neal Brown Earth days for the stormy sun spot to again line up with Earth. Alaska Science Explained (alaskascience.com). Why the aurora recur on a 27-day schedule was a mystery until as- tronauts obtained images of the sun storms in ultraviolet light that is absorbed by Earth’s lower atmosphere. Today, satellites regularly Neal’s Aurora Science Notes provide ultraviolet images of solar storms. What Causes the Aurora? storms, based on the current solar cycle. The storms originate well Aurora Shapes below the visible surface of the sun and can’t be seen until they pop The aurora are caused by solar storms that throw huge numbers of Most often, the aurora appear as hanging curtains of light that are out to the outer layers of the sun, where we can then use many fast-moving electrons and protons away from the sun in a twisting aligned from east to west along Earth’s magnetic field lines. As the kinds of instruments to diagnose what that storm consists of and mass of electric and magnetic fields. These microscopic particles evening progresses, the aurora brightens and develops vertical rays what it might do. Using instruments aboard the broad array of typically take two days to travel the 150 million kilometers from the caused by electrical currents that flow down the magnetic field lines. Sun-Earth orbiting space craft, we can now estimate the energy of sun to Earth. These energetic electrons and protons initially move As these currents get larger, huge folds develop that resemble Greek Once you know your magnetic latitude, reference aurora forecasts these sun storms and determine if the solar storm will get to Earth past Earth for several thousands of miles before traveling back along omega letters. Scientists have determined mechanisms for some of to see what the current Kp-index is. If the level corresponds to your and result in aurora. Earth’s magnetic field lines into Earth’s atmosphere. Then, through these configurations but are still trying to formulate a clear explana- latitude there is good probability for aurora. a process similar to that of a neon sign, they collide with the atoms tion for the general public. and molecules of Earth’s atmosphere to create the light we call the The Aurora Colors aurora. Not all solar storms produce aurora. We have a chance to see The aurora occur most frequently from 60 to 200 miles (100 to 320 Coronal Aurora the auroras only when the solar storm’s magnetic field couples with km) above Earth. Because the composition of atmospheric gases A completely awesome optical illusion is aurora that look like they the Earth's magnetic field varies depending on their distance from Earth’s surface, altitude are coming out of a single point in the sky. These are called coronal influences aurora color. The green and the deep red color that often aurora because each ray of the aurora is centered on a magnetic occur high in aurora appear when electrons collide with atoms Destination Alaska field line. The outer edges of these rays are 62 miles (100 km) above of atomic oxygen. The bluish-tinged vertical rays appear when Fairbanks, Alaska, offers special advantages for those who want to Earth. So when you follow each ray to the center, it’s the same opti- electrons impact singly ionized molecules of nitrogen. The common see and photograph aurora. The Brooks Range mountains to Fair- cal illusion as looking at railroad tracks that seem to narrow as they magenta lower borders appear when electrons impact molecules of banks’ north and the Alaska Range mountains to the south, block disappear into the distance. Corona displays tend to occur near the nitrogen and oxygen. A faint band of blue appears when protons movements of moist air and clouds. This gives the interior of Alaska time of solar midnight when the aurora breaks up into wild and fast impact hydrogen atoms in Earth’s high upper atmosphere. (and Fairbanks in particular) a continental dry, cold climate and, moving shapes. therefore, frequently clear skies. Fairbanks is Alaska’s northernmost Map of North America showing the equatorial boundary of the large city, and therefore views to the north are dark and free of Magnetic Midnight aurora at different Kp-indexes. (NOAA) significant light pollution. The typical aurora oval hovers around Magnetic midnight is when the magnetic pole, which is offset 11 Earth’s magnetic poles and varies in its southerly reach depending degrees from the geographic pole, is opposite the high-noon sun Can I see the aurora where I live? on the strength of solar storms. Most nights, this puts the northern on the other side of Earth. This actual time will vary based on your How to Photograph the Northern Lights aurora oval right over the top of the southern part of the Brooks geographical position. This dark midnight sector makes the auroral Aurora forecasts are often given with a reference to Range. crown of light that hovers over the northern hemisphere appear a numerical Kp-index. The Kp-index is an average Two long-time Alaskans and specialists in their fields, brighter. This is why the brightest aurora is visible not at midnight based on global geomagnetic data gathered from photographer Patrick J Endres and scientists Neal Brown, The 11 Year Solar Cycle by the clock but at magnetic midnight. As Earth spins on its axis, have teamed up to create “How to Photograph the during the half hour before and after magnetic midnight, there is an multiple locations around the world. It predicts the The gigantic electric and magnetic sun storms that create the Northern Lights,” an information-rich resource on the aurora follow an 11-year cycle of activity, with the recent peak that arc of proton and electron light emissions that causes the aurora to probable southern edge of an aurora display, based on occurred in 2013. It is an 11-year cycle (or half of a 22-year cycle) go crazy and “break up” in bright, fast motions. geomagnetic latitude. aurora. Whether you are a beginner because sunspots appear in pairs with a signature of magnetically photographer or an advanced "north" or magnetically "south." At the end of 11 years, the spots Aurora Borealis and Australis The scale goes from zero to nine. The higher the professional, there is something in switch their signature from "south" to "north" (or vice versa) and Our research at the Geophysical Institute of the University of number, the greater the geomagnetic activity, and this e-book for you. Patrick liberally begin a new solar cycle. The 11 year sun cycle is not always exact, Alaska has shown that aurora of the northern hemisphere (the therefore, the farther south one might expect to see the shares secrets from his multi-decade and throughout history it has seen periods of significant variation. aurora borealis) and aurora of the southern hemisphere (the aurora aurora. The number does not necessarily mean that low career of chasing and photographing australis) are mirror images of each other in time and space. In the northern lights, and Neal sheds is bad and high is good. It simply refers to the southern Can we Predict Auroras quiet conditions, when the aurora is not very active or bright, the light on aurora science. Order at reach of the aurora. For example: For the aurora to be We cannot accurately predict when aurora will occur on Earth. northern and southern aurora move and brighten in sync. alaskaphotographics.com/store However, we can predict how close we are to the most active sun visible in Minnesota, a Kp-index of 6 is necessary, but 2 0 2 1

January May September S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 1 2 3 4 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 26 27 28 29 30 31 30 31

February June October S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 28 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 March July November S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 28 29 30

April August December S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31