Is aurora borealis visible from space?

Answer 1

For thousands of years people in the northern part of the world have marveled at the spectacular and fearful displays that occasionally light up the night sky.

There have been hundreds of stories and theories to explain these celestial lights what we now know as the aurora borealis or northern lights. But no one until about a century ago, suspected a connection with the sun.

Every northern culture has oral legends about the aurora, passed down for generations. During the viking period, northern lights were referred to as reflections from dead maidens.

The phenomenon was often referred to as a vengeful force. In ancient times, most people were afraid of the lights. Some people would not let their children outside to play while there were auroras, fearful they could get
killed.

The aurora has many namesThe sami (lapp) people called it guovssahas, the light you can hear. The eskimos in the northernmost parts of Canada believed that the northern lights were created by spirits, which, dressed in the mystical light, were having fun because the sun is away, that they were playing soccer with a walrus skull. The rapidly moving auroras were called the dance of death.

The Vikings who lived in Norway a thousand years ago, named it the northern lights. In Norway children were often told that by waving with white clothing, the intensity of waving increased the motion of the aurora!
Early scienceThe strong aurora on March 6, 1716 could be observed in large parts of Europe and gave birth to more modern science. Sir Edmund Halley published the first detailed description of the aurora in that year.

He lamented that at the age of 60 years he had given up on experiencing this amazing phenomenon. He suggested that "auroral rays are due to the particles, which are affected by the magnetic field; the rays are parallel to earth's magnetic field."
Kristian Birkeland

A major breakthrough was made by an eccentric norwegian scientist - Kristian Birkeland, 1867-1917-who had a theory that charged particles from the sun could ignite auroras. To prove his theory-which is still valid today - he built his own world in a glass box, electrified his model earth with its own magnetic field and showed how particles from the sun could ignite auroras.

For thousands of years people in the northern part of the world have marveled at the spectacular and fearful displays that occasionally light up the night sky.

There have been hundreds of stories and theories to explain these celestial lights what we now know as the aurora borealis or northern lights. But no one until about a century ago, suspected a connection with the sun.

Every northern culture has oral legends about the aurora, passed down for generations. During the viking period, northern lights were referred to as reflections from dead maidens.

The phenomenon was often referred to as a vengeful force. In ancient times, most people were afraid of the lights. Some people would not let their children outside to play while there were auroras, fearful they could get
killed.

The aurora has many names

The sami (lapp) people called it guovssahas, the light you can hear. The eskimos in the northernmost parts of Canada believed that the northern lights were created by spirits, which, dressed in the mystical light, were having fun because the sun is away, that they were playing soccer with a walrus skull. The rapidly moving auroras were called the dance of death.

The Vikings who lived in Norway a thousand years ago, named it the northern lights. In Norway children were often told that by waving with white clothing, the intensity of waving increased the motion of the aurora!

Early science

The strong aurora on March 6, 1716 could be observed in large parts of Europe and gave birth to more modern science. Sir Edmund Halley published the first detailed description of the aurora in that year.

He lamented that at the age of 60 years he had given up on experiencing this amazing phenomenon. He suggested that "auroral rays are due to the particles, which are affected by the magnetic field; the rays are parallel to earth's magnetic field."

Kristian Birkeland

A major breakthrough was made by an eccentric norwegian scientist - Kristian Birkeland, 1867-1917-who had a theory that charged particles from the sun could ignite auroras. To prove his theory-which is still valid today - he built his own world in a glass box, electrified his model earth with its own magnetic field and showed how particles from the sun could ignite auroras.

Answer 2

You can see the Moon anywhere anytime assuming that:

1. it has already risen.
2. there is no obstruction to viewing like clouds.
3. it is in a viewable phase (ie - not a new moon).

Likewise, stars are always visible at night anywhere given the lack of obstructions like clouds. Light pollution may determine how many stars are visible at any given time; however, light pollution is not a serious issue in Alaska.

Answer 3

Yes. Go outside to a dark area, away from city lights. The best times to see any meteors are between about 2 AM and dawn. The Perseid meteor shower generally peaks around August 12, but some Perseids are generally visible from about 8 days before to 8 days after that date. Some people have reported some great meteors in the past few days, as I write this on August 10.

Answer 4

Yes, its visible from about midnight to dawn local time, anywhere in the world. This year's Perseid meteor shower is probably almost over, though; only one or two days left until next year.

Answer 5

Yes, I've personally seen it in Anchorage. Please remember that the Northern Lights are unpredictable, but based on my reading the best months are March and September.

Answer 6

Meteor showers are world-wide; you can see them from anywhere. As long as the weather is clear.

Answer 7

Only if the sky is clear at night.