The Canadian Space Agency usually turns its eyes toward the heavens, but starting Monday night CSA will be looking a little closer to home.
The agency has announced a new window on Canada’s northern lights, which begins broadcasting live on the Internet. The AuroraMAX observatory begins streaming images Monday of the dancing lights at www.asc-csa.gc.ca as part of collaboration between the agency, the University of Calgary, the City of Yellowknife and Astronomy North. “Armchair sky watchers everywhere can now discover the wonder of the northern lights live on their home computer screen,” CSA president Steve MacLean said in a news release. “We hope that watching the dance of the northern lights will make you curious about the science of the sky and the relationship we have with our own star, the sun.”
Mr. MacLean said the idea is to demystify the science behind the phenomenon of the northern lights and offer tips for seeing and photographing the auroras. The website will include live streaming pictures of the lights along with still photos and movies from previous nights. According to the agency, the lights occur as charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
“The aurora is a phenomenon that takes place in the upper atmosphere. The Earth’s magnetic field acts like a huge magnet, and is responsible for attracting electrically charged particles to the north and south region of the globe. The Earth’s magnetic field attracts the particles found in the aurora. When these particles hit the upper atmosphere, they cause a spectacular spectrum of colors to shower the nighttime sky,” the agency says on its website.
The aurora season in Canada usually begins in September and ends in May. It's one site to see as well I am not sure how many have ever seen Northern lights but here is some more information regarding them as follows:
What a great idea!! Although nothing can beat seeing it in person, this is an awesome alternative. Thanks Jack!
ReplyDeleteYour welcome, I have seen them dance within the skies at night and despite it's usually within December they are something to see.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteHey Sharon just about to go off for a bit as yesterday I had my knees done but it shall be neat.
ReplyDeleteShall see ya within a few hours if your on.
That is something I would like to see.
ReplyDeleteCome this winter, I can say it now :). I shall get a few shots of it. They are like ocean waves of light within the nightscape DJ.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the web site. Being from the US, at first I thought you were going to talk about the Confederate States of America!
ReplyDeleteThis post was about the Northern Lights...
ReplyDeleteThe Northern Lights are magnificent . I don't ever see them much here but I have in Northern MI I posted a picture of them (not one I took ) that I found on the web of Northern Lights over Lake Superior on one of my links..incredible. y brother in law still talks about how beautiful and bright they were when he was stationed in Alaska
ReplyDeleteI have read so much about Northern Lights, and it would be something if we could all, at least, watch it in the comfy atmosphere of home.
ReplyDeletei have never seen the lights dance amigo----gracias
ReplyDeleteThey are - I was not online last night but they are Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteThe upside is they are truly beautiful, the downside is that it happens in cold climates. But to see them as here it's usually around the month of December and January that they truly are if the word can be used - within full bloom, on a clear night it's literally something that is truly amazing. My hopes are that I get myself another camera prior to that date.
ReplyDeleteSi, yo se as they dont take place within warm climates, but if they did imagine seeing the ocean and at the same time the view of lights within the sky flowing within a way in concert with the waves of the ocean - that would be something!
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