NLC 2009-06-17/18

[dgrutherford]

Hi,

From Forres (58 Deg N) on the Moray Firth the display extended past the overhead and could be seen to around 30 Deg to the south. Most amazing display I've seen for a very long time (I started reporting in 1966). One thing I noticed was that if you studied the clouds against a fixed object there was clear N-S movement visible. Amazing sight.

Dave Rutherford

[tmcewan]

Yes, I noticed this too - when the NLC was overhead a southward drift could be quite easily seen. I have some time-lapse sequences of this which I'll process and upload later today.

Another feature I noticed with this display was a subtle light brown upper fringe, evident visually and photographically (you can detect it on a few of the Forum images). I have seen this before but it is by no means common.

Tom

[Bill W]

It was quite a show last night.
Very bright with some nice complex regions.
Here's a couple of shots.





It is frustrating that such a good display happens when it is being hidden by dense intermittent tropospheric cloud!

[scotweather]

Here is a collection of my other photographs.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI98T82KrTs

[dgrutherford]

Hi,

Interesting comparison. Looking at the images now there is much more shape and structure looking at the cloud from further south. Since it was almost overhead here in Forres there was not as much shape and structure at all.

Dave Rutherford

[Bill W]

Hi Dave,

Now that is an excellent observation!

If you have a browse around you'll find the threads on re-projecting images to get a better perspective.When viewed at a shallow angle the apparent density is greater and one sees a brighter NLC as more light is scattered in your direction.

Since NLC are almost transparent, when they're overhead they are much more diffuse and whispy. Your comments are spot on.
It's hard to believe that they're the very same thing at times.

Also my own theory about the coloured fringe is that it is sunlight selectively filtered through nice clear air to the north. It's like a sunset in reverse so to speak, the blue light gets scattered out and the red light get's through. It graphically shows the upper bound of the NLC as that's where the light is getting cut off.

I think scattering is becoming my favourite word. Everything is to do with scattering or is it sleep deprivation....?

[dgrutherford]

Cheers for that comment. I must get hold of a digital SLR camera. Have a digital camera but only a basic one which is fine for the grandchildren. Have taken many NLC pictures in the past with 35mm but that's in a cupboard now.

Dave

[markt]

Superb additions everybody, fascinating to see all the different views!

[markwalters]

Yes, what a great collection of images from everyone and a stunning record of the display - I guess I should have posted mine up in here really rather than a separate thread - oops !

Mark

[jonesey]

Hi all.. I'm a newbie and this is my first post. Last night's superb display inspired me to join though I've been watching out for NLCs for about 4 years now

My images from last night are here: jonesey.smugmug.com/gallery/8603720_hLDfv.

The times in the image metadata are in UTC but I found afterwards that my camera's clock was about 12 minutes fast.

Location: about 2 miles northeast of Pwllheli, Gwynedd.

[markt]

@ Mark, no worries buddy!

@ Jonesy - those are a great series of pickies you got on Lleyn, thanks for sharing!

[templewater]

Hey everyone

Thanks for the heads up last night. What a display!!
Heres a selection of mine.
Taken from Co Down, N ireland.
Fingers crossed for tonight.

[kerryday20]

Hi,
My pics can be found at twitpic.com/photos/kerryday20 sorry its taken so long for me to put them up. Busy studying.
Note these were taken before I got a tripod for my camera so I apologise for the quality and I am just using a reg digital camera and have no idea how to take good pics, ops, but they are ok.
Kez

[markt]

Great pictures Kez, thanks for sharing and welcome to the forum.