Thursday, September 29, 2016

Northern Lights 9/29/16

   

 The sky cleared overnight just as an increase in auroral activity was to set to begin.  I drove out toward Ludington State Park at 9:30 and attempted to see and photograph the expected modest  display.  I stayed out there about an hour but the Kp index which had been predicted to be near 6 had decreased to 4 which made the lights out of reach for my location.
    At 5 AM I woke and saw that the skies were still cloudless, so per routine I loaded up the car and headed back out.  This time even though the aurora was not detectable with my eyes my camera did a fine job of picking up the color in the faint glow to the north.  Incidentally the Kp value was 5.3.
  Tonight the Kp is again expected to be near 6 but cloud cover is forecast to increase by nightfall in my area.  I may attempt to drive north of the clouds to witness another display.  Stay tuned.......