NORTHERN LIGHTS: CLOUD MOVING IN FROM ATLANTIC SPOILS VIEW

Aurora Alert Update: 24th/25th January
Sunport 1402 which produced aurora displays over Ireland and Northern UK on Sunday night unlashed another powerful flare at 04:00 on the 23rd January. The associated coronal mass ejection (CME) blasted towards Earth is likely to deliver a glancing blow to the Earths magnetic field. Due to this there an increase possibility of viewing the aurora from Ireland and northern parts of the UK on the CME is expected to strike between the 24th/25th January. Stay tuned to Spaceweather.com,  Softservenews.com/aurora for elevated Kp values and keep an eye out for clear skies. Kp values of 6 or greater should result in aurora displays over Ireland and northern parts of the UK but other factors are also involved.

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How To See the Aurora
It is not advisable to travel large distances to see a potential aurora displays as there is no guarantee that the aurora will be visible as cloud and other factors often interfere. A potential display should be visible throughout the country due to the small geographical size of Ireland. To see if you can catch a glimpse of the northern lights after receiving an Aurora Alert email you should go to a dark site nearby with a clear few of the northern horizon when there is a geomagnetic storm in progress (Kp values of 6 or more). Scan the north west, north and north east horizons for faint, white inconspicuous domes of light.  White beams of light may shoot from these domes to the centre of the sky.  Should the display really pick up, it may be possible to see hints of colours in the aurora. Green and red are the most commonly reported colours visible in the aurora. These colours really show up well in long exposure photographs.

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Aurora Forecast Pages
Stay on alert for aurora displays and keep tuned to the links below for more information:
(Kp values of 6 or greater should result in aurora displays over Ireland and northern parts of the UK but other factors are also involved)
http://www.softservenews.com/aurora.htm
www.spaceweather.com

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Weather Forecast 
A clear sky is essential for viewing any potential aurora displays. At the minute the weather forecast weather is touch and go but there may be a chance of getting at least a few gaps in the clouds. Stay tuned to the weather links below for cloud cover perdictions:
Met Office
BBC Weather
Sat 24

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As much as I would like to answer all email enquiries due to the share volume of emails this may not be possible but I’ll do my best.  Remember that this alert is based on predication and displays  cannot be guaranteed.

Clear skies and happy aurora hunting!
Brendan
www.DonegalSkies.com