Who was Kristian Birkeland?
This week is the 100th anniversary of Kristian Birkeland’s death, and people are celebrating his life and work. But who was Kristian Birkeland?
northern lights
Auroral substorms & Alaska
Aurora: In Search of the Northern Lights came out in the USA this week, so here is an extract on auroral substorms – the aurora pattern that was first noticed by a researcher from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Is a magnetic field reversal imminent?
The Earth’s magnetic field has reversed polarity several times in its history. But when might the magnetic field reverse again? And what might it mean for the aurora?
5 reasons you need to see the aurora
You’ve read about it, you’ve seen the pictures, it’s somewhere on your bucket list…. Well, here are 5 reasons why you really should go to see the aurora.
Aurora wins Rutherford Communication Prize
Melanie Windridge wins the Institute of Physics’ Rutherford Plasma Physics Communication Prize for Aurora: In Search of the Northern Lights.
My best aurora… so far!
I recently returned from a trip to Canada with the Cloud Appreciation Society where I saw, and photographed, some beautiful aurora. It was a wonderful trip…
Sounds of the northern lights
This story by Martin Izzard got me thinking about the sounds of the aurora again – a mystery that is not completely solved.
Aurora wins ASLI Choice Award
Aurora: In Search of the Northern Lights won the Atmospheric Science Librarians International (ASLI) Choice Award in the “popular” category for 2016. I’m delighted, and I just received the plaque!
The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen
Brian Stanic introduces us to a traditional Scottish song about the aurora – The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen.
Welsh Aurora & Dark Skies
Astronomer Huw James tells us about seeing the aurora from his home country of Wales and we learn about Dark Sky Sites in the UK.
Hogmanay Light Show 2015
Gordon Mackie tells of a particularly memorable passage from one calendar year to the next – seeing in the new year watching the aurora over Thurso.
Aurora Art
Ellie Mulhern is an artist based in Scotland who creates enchanting landscapes that capture the beauty of the hills, coastline and the northern lights.
Christmas Aurora book ideas
Christmas is just around the corner so here are some book ideas for the aurora fanatic in your life. Hopefully they have already read mine! Here are some others they might find interesting, inspiring or fun!
Aurora in the Eighties
Duncan Waldron recalls photographing the aurora during a large event in 1982, and how his pictures were influential within the British Astronomical Association.
Planning an aurora trip – 5 tips
With the aurora season ramping up, Best Served Scandinavia’s top Northern Lights agent, Maddie Eleini, gives her top 5 tips for planning a Northern Lights holiday.
Dream trip – Lusto, Finland
Ceri stepped out of her travel comfort zone to fulfil a dream – she went on a winter activity holiday where the prize was the northern lights.
Surprising power of solar storms
A video from NASA tells the story of a big solar storm in March 2012 and what happens to all the energy dumped into the atmosphere at these times.
Photography tips from CAG
The members of Caithness Astronomy Group are avid aurora photographers and I got some composition tips when I was out photographing with them on Orkney.
Tales of an aurora addict 2
Aurora addict Rosie Thompson continues her aurora story with a mini-break to Abisko and a beautiful northern lights display.
Tales of an aurora addict 1
Aurora addict Rosie Thompson tells us about her numerous visits to the Arctic to see the northern lights.
How NOT to photograph the aurora
Andy Sawyers relates his story of seeing the aurora in Orkney and trying to photograph them unprepared.