Joanne Lumley/Northern Lights.

Verbena · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 02:21 PM

Did anyone watch this last night?
It was superb,I thought she did a wonderful job and the emotion at the end as she got the most amazing views of the Aurora borealis was truly genuine and made for great viewing.

Sweet Pea · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 04:40 PM

It was fabulous fabulous fabulous!!!

To think this goes on while I am going about my silly business is awesome. and to think that this environment is under threat is criminal.

Verbena · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

To think this goes on while I am going about my silly business is awesome. and to think that this environment is under threat is criminal.

Apparently it can be seen from UK providing you know when and where to look!
Here's a link to some more spectacular images.......enjoy!

Sky Notes - Aurora Borealis Gallery

**Adam** · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 05:48 PM

Yes I did - it was amazing. When I saw the lights at first I was really sceptical and thought they had been put in later. The way it moved around was like something from a sci fi show!

Verbena · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

The way it moved around was like something from a sci fi show!

I didn't realise that they moved??? Not sure why??
But oh I'd love to see them!!!

Flump · #6 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008, 01:52 PM

I missed the programme, sounds like it was a good watch

Sweet Pea · #7 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008, 01:57 PM

They move because of something like this Verbena...Auroras are produced by the collision of charged particles from Earth's magnetosphere, mostly electrons but also protons and heavier particles, with atoms and molecules of Earth's upper atmosphere (at altitudes above 80 km (50 miles). The particles have energies of 1 to 100 keV. They originate from the Sun and arrive at the vicinity of Earth in the relatively low-energy solar wind. When the trapped magnetic field of the solar wind is favourably oriented (principally southwards) it reconnects with Earth's magnetic field, and solar particles enter the magnetosphere and are swept to the magnetotail. Further magnetic reconnection accelerates the particles towards Earth.

The collisions in the atmosphere electronically excite atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere. The excitation energy can be lost by light emission or collisions. Most aurorae are green and red emission from atomic oxygen. Molecular nitrogen and nitrogen ions produce some low level red and very high blue/violet aurorae. The light blue colors are produced by ionic nitrogen and the neutral nitrogen gives off the red and purple color with the rippled edges. Different gases interacting with the upper atmosphere will produce different colors, caused by the different compounds of oxygen and nitrogen. The level of solar wind activity from the Sun can also influence the color of the aurorae.

(Taken from Wiki)

**Adam** · #8 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verbena

I didn't realise that they moved??? Not sure why??
But oh I'd love to see them!!!

I thought they were moving. I was ironing at the time so maybe that had something to do with it?!!

Mark O · #9 (**permalink**) 11-09-2008, 10:25 PM

It was 'Absolutely fabulous'!!

**Jezer** · #10 (**permalink**) 11-09-2008, 11:11 PM

I missed it, as I also didn't get to see the Northern Lights on my only trip inside the Arctic Circle a few years ago.

I was disappointed at not seeing them but not surprised.