Aurora watch UK

Genoma · 25 Oct 2016 at 19:28

Just got this on my FB feed

Red alert: aurora likely.

It is likely that aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere in the UK. Viewing aurora requires clear, dark skies away from light pollution. To monitor current activity see http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk.

Issued 2016-10-25 17:48 UTC (18:48 BST) by AuroraWatch UK using SAMNET CRK2 data from Crooktree, UK.

If you observe #aurora please add a comment below and include time, location and whether by eye or with a camera. Photographs of aurora taken from the UK can be submitted to our Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/aurorawatch

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stuman · 25 Oct 2016 at 19:48

Wow. But it's a shame the uk is being British. Cloud. No pictures coming from Yorkshire.

AHarvey · 25 Oct 2016 at 20:36

I get the alerts too, however, is it a case of right now, or just within the next X hours that it's likely.

Can't see anything from here, too cloudy. Midlands

Greebo · 25 Oct 2016 at 20:57

Red alert on my warnings was between 6 and 7 earlier tonight when it hit 7.7 Right now it's less than 6 and only visible at top of Scotland.

You snooze you lose

The_Abyss · 25 Oct 2016 at 23:48

Red alert now but hazy cloud down here in Suffolk.

Luke · 26 Oct 2016 at 01:14

I was contemplating heading down to the Lincolnshire coast as it is meant to be clear there, but my wife talked me out of it.
To console myself I've just ordered a Samyang 14mm 2.8 lens for a bit of astro photography later in the year.

Greebo · 26 Oct 2016 at 09:04

Damn, got another red alert at 12.20am this mronign while I was asleep.

I'll console myself that it was probably raining.

Greebo · 26 Oct 2016 at 09:05

Luke said:
I was contemplating heading down to the Lincolnshire coast as it is meant to be clear there, but my wife talked me out of it.
To console myself I've just ordered a Samyang 14mm 2.8 lens for a bit of astro photography later in the year.

Looking at getting the 12mm Samyang for the same purpose. For my body its meant to be by far the best astro lens without spending 1000s

Jono · 26 Oct 2016 at 09:42

Doesn't help, but I got this a couple of weeks ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diPFhOfHSgA

Jono · 26 Oct 2016 at 09:43

Greebo said:
Looking at getting the 12mm Samyang for the same purpose. For my body its meant to be by far the best astro lens without spending 1000s

Tis a cracking lens

(Which I am after, but my friend has one)

Greebo · 26 Oct 2016 at 10:25

Jono said:
Doesn't help, but I got this a couple of weeks ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diPFhOfHSgA

Jello

The_Abyss · 26 Oct 2016 at 21:47

Very nice!

I've just had two amber alerts pop up, and the sky is clear down in Suffolk tonight. Need a strong red alert to hit after midnight once the street lights are out, and keep fingers crossed.

And · 26 Oct 2016 at 22:12

It's around 7 in 40 mins. Wish I was up on Mull right now

Greebo · 26 Oct 2016 at 22:36

Friday is meant to be forecast for high as well

Zaf · 27 Oct 2016 at 00:23

Just downloaded the app and setup alerts

Derek W · 27 Oct 2016 at 18:58

Just downloaded the app as well. Possibility of seeing it tonight but don't fancy walking a few miles out of town. Might try it tomorrow night though.

As a matter of interest what setting do people use to capture the aurora?

Zaf · 27 Oct 2016 at 21:30

Derek W said:
Just downloaded the app as well. Possibility of seeing it tonight but don't fancy walking a few miles out of town. Might try it tomorrow night though.

As a matter of interest what setting do people use to capture the aurora?

Depends on your gear mate, focal length and minimum aperture etc

There's a good app called 'Manual Exposure - Calculators for your dslr'

Derek W · 28 Oct 2016 at 13:15

Zaf said:
Depends on your gear mate, focal length and minimum aperture etc

There's a good app called 'Manual Exposure - Calculators for your dslr'

Got a 5D mk2 with 24 - 70 f2.8

Greebo · 28 Oct 2016 at 13:52

zooms dont tend to be that great.

good guide here

http://petapixel.com/2014/01/29/picking-great-lens-milky-way-photography/

In your case with a FF sensor your max exposure time will be 21 seconds before star trails start showing.

Zaf · 28 Oct 2016 at 18:21

Derek W said:
Got a 5D mk2 with 24 - 70 f2.8

For still stars the app says 25secs at 24mm f2.8, you may need to play around with ISO though