Aurora watch!

[Stefrobrts]

Due to recent sunspot activity scientists are predicting we may have a good chance of seeing an aurora tonight. Here's a link to more info

SpaceWeather.com

I've never seen an aurora, but I'm hoping I will someday! It's one of the things on my "before I die I have to..." list

[Westfalia]

I saw that too. It's too cloudy here to see anything tonight (because it might be SNOWING), but I am headed up to darker skies tomorrow night, camera and tripod in tow.

Here's a pic from my deck last year during one of the storms. Think how much better it could have been without the clouds. All of the light from Denver washed much of it out to see with the naked eye due to cloud reflection, but a short time lapse photo brought the colors out!


Also, use the link to determine how intense the Aurora's are. Activity levels of nine and ten are easily seen in Colorado and points south.
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapN.html

Happy hunting! Post pictures here if you get them!

[tin sista]

Thanks for the tip Stef and the awesome photo Westfalia. We'll be looking skyward tonight!

[pmclemore]

Wonderful pic, Westfalia. Perhaps we'll get lucky when we get to CO in the next couple of weeks.

Pat

[maxandgeorgia]

The newspaper from Grand Marais, MN, reported a vibrant aurora last week-mostly white dancing light, not the usual reds and greens, but beautiful.

[sarmimi]

We are at a very high altitude (9,300 ft) in the mountains of Colorado, away from city lights. Where and when should I direct my camera tonight? I'll be taking some time exposed photos and will post here if we happen to get some aurora pics! Thanks!

[Buttercup]

Stefrobrts,

Nice to see somebody besides myself is watching this. As a note, I get updates from SpaceWeather.com in the form of a periodic email message of what is going on. it is a nice read.

tk

[Westfalia]

Even though I set my alarm clock for 2am, I mysteriously slept thru it. As I checked the sites this morning, it's a good thing as the strong Auroras didn't appear. However, there is still a possibility of Auroras tonght.

[sarmimi]

I stayed up til about 1:30 am but no Auroras. Unfortunately, it looks like we won't be able to see any even if there are Auroras as the full moon is only 3 nights away and pretty much lights up and neutralizes most other lights in the sky at night. Anyone know what time the moon sets? Maybe we can see Auroras then?

But, in lieu of the Aurora's, here's a pic that is almost of the Aurora's (it's actually an evening thunderstorm while the sun is setting behind the mountains here in Breckenridge, but hey, it's close!)

[Stefrobrts]

Wow! Great Pic!

I stayed up late last night but saw nothing. Tonight the moon is so bright everything is washed out. Hardly worth getting up at 2am for!

[rseagle]

No Auroras here in Virginia, just remnants of Ophelia.

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by sarmimi

. Anyone know what time the moon sets? Maybe we can see Auroras then?

I use this site alot to plan for photographic oportunities and night hikes when Im out west: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html Its a great resourse. Good luck

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Stefrobrts,

Nice to see somebody besides myself is watching this. As a note, I get updates from SpaceWeather.com in the form of a periodic email message of what is going on. it is a nice read.

tk

Cool link, thanks

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

I use this site alot to plan for photographic oportunities and night hikes when Im out west: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html Its a great resourse. Good luck

Nice! Thanks for posting (I love that stuff)

[ALANSD]

driving down the road in northern Michigan years ago, I had a van full of people all asleep. I saw what looked like the sky shimmering...figure I was over tired. I stopped the van and got out to see the Aurora in its glory...quite amazing. Oh yeah I woke up all the riders...

[pmclemore]

Sarmimi,

Where did you stay in Breckenridge? Do you recommend the park? (And will they still e open in a couple of weeks?)

Thanks - Pat

[sarmimi]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

Sarmimi,

Where did you stay in Breckenridge? Do you recommend the park? (And will they still e open in a couple of weeks?)

Hi Pat.

We stayed(are staying) at the Tiger Run RV Resort just 3 miles north of downtown Breckenridge, right off hwy 9. It is the regular low season right now, so rates are cheaper. We like the park, although it runs 30+ a night for an RV site. They have a heated indoor pool, two hot tubs, nice common showers, tennis courts, basketball court, and are pretty much the only RV park near Breck. Oh yes, full hookups up to 50 amps, but only a few pull throughs. All sites are about 50' wide, so lots of space. Some of the premium sites even have an outdoor fireplace. It's one of the most upscale RV parks we have stayed during our journey. There are some state parks around lake dillon, about 9 miles north of Breck that you can stay at for less. 1st come 1st served but at this time of year, should not be a problem. The state parks will be a boondock, but I think one of them actually has electricity, but not certain. All are listed in Woodall's (Unfort, I can't find my copy otherwise I'd provide their contact info).

Tiger Run RV resort is open year round. Don't know about the state parks. I'd recommend Tiger Run, although it's not cheap. But if it's only for a few nights, why not splurge a little. The people here are very friendly, and Breck is a great town!

Have fun!

[pmclemore]

Thanks, Sarmini. I think we'll go there after we visit RMNP for a few days. I'm not confident enough about my battery to go boondocking - got to plan to run the furnace for sure after your reports.

Pat

[sarmimi]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

Thanks, Sarmini. I think we'll go there after we visit RMNP for a few days. I'm not confident enough about my battery to go boondocking - got to plan to run the furnace for sure after your reports.

Hi Pat.

I forgot to mention that at the Tiger Run RV resort, they have a water pressure issue (long story, but the resort lost some of their water rights recently). Thus, for showers (washing dishes and everything else is fine) one has to either a) use their RV water pump or b) use the communal showers. Contact info is (970) 453-9690, http://www.tigerrunresort.com/

The Heaton Bay Campground right on Lake Dillon (about 9 miles north of Breckenridge and much quieter than Tiger Run, which sits right off busy Hwy 9) operated by the Nat'l Forest does have one section of about 20 sites w/ electrical hookups. But they are only open until Oct. 10. For info & reservations, (970) 469-5400. It's only $19 a night w/electrical vs. $30+ at Tiger Run.

Have fun! If you come within the next two - three weeks, you'll be in time for all the fall foliage. The higher elevations look like they are already peaking (leaves dropping) but the lower elevations are still lime green or just starting to turn.

[Boondocker]

I will be out west by late in the weekend. Are the lights over for now?