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The image to the left is
downloaded from the satellite "NOAA POES" and
shows the current extent
and position of the auroral oval in the northern hemisphere.
Explanation:
The red arrow:
in the plot, that looks like a clock hand, points toward the
noon meridian (12:00). The
statistical pattern depicting the auroral oval is
appropriate to the auroral activity level determined from
the power flux observed during the most recent polar
satellite pass. The power fluxes in the statistical pattern
are color coded on a scale from 0 to 10,
where 0 (=blue) predict no Aurora activity and 10 (=red)
indicates strong Aurora. The pattern has been
oriented with respect to the underlying geographic map using
the current universal time, updated every ten minutes. This
presentation provides an estimate of the location, extent,
and intensity of aurora on a global basis.
Normalization factor (n)
A normalization factor of less than 2.0 indicates a
reasonable level of confidence in the estimate of power. The
more the value of n exceeds 2.0, the less confidence should
be placed in the estimate of hemispheric power and the
activity level.
My experiences:
Colorful Aurora usually happens after strong explosions (M-
and X-class) on the Sun. The diagram [larger
version] to the lower left shows the current activity at
the sun. After a M- or X-class blowout it normally takes
about 40-50 hours before the particles from the sun hits the
Earth's atmosphere and may cause auroras. In the upper left
plot you can get a quite accurate overview of where and how
strong the aurora is at current time. This Aurora Alert is
not always 100% liable, but I find it very useful for my
aurora photography.
Ole Jørgen
Liodden |
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Aurora in Norway, Jan.
- 05 |
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Aurora in Norway, Nov.
- 04 |
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Aurora in Antarctica |
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