northern lights
By benny128
@benny128 (3615)
December 22, 2009 12:14pm CST
heres one thing I have never had the pleasure of seeing,
has anyone ever seen the northern lights or sciencetific name Aurora Borealis I am led to believe we can see them at certain times in newcastle upon tyne but not sure how accurate that is.
Has anyone ever seen them in person as its one sight I would love to see before I take the memories to my grave.
6 responses
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
22 Dec 09
A few years back we were lucky enough to see them when we were out trick or treating with our kids. It was great and if we hadn't been out with the kids that night trick or treating then we more than likely would of never of seen them just because we never paid much attention the that sort but I have since learn that it happens yearly between September and October and then again between March and April. I am glad that it doesn't happen only ever 30 yrs or such because while my kids were there they were still real young and do not remember that so it will be something they can see again. it is an awesome sight and you should definitely try to and see it.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
25 Dec 09
Yes I think so....I have never really done much research on them and like I said if it weren't for Halloween night we wouldn't of even seen them but am thankful we did =)
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
22 Dec 09
Hi Benny,
Aurora Borealis, beautiful name, it kind of just rolls off the tongue. This is on my list of things to do before I die list as the sight itself is supposed to be so spectacular.
I watched a documentary about them where Joanna Lumley went to see The Northern lights and even on the television it was simply breath taking.
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
22 Dec 09
I have seen them twice, I think, from Cambridge, which is very much further south than Newcastle. As I recall, they were very low in the northern sky and one didn't really see the shimmering curtain effect that you see in pictures. It was more of a flickering, greenish glow.
The first time I saw them I must have been about 8 or 10, so that would be getting on for 60 years ago. I don't really remember when the second time was but I believe I was in my twenties and it was almost certainly from Cambridge that I saw them. They are only ever seen this far south in periods of unusual sun-spot activity. I would imagine that you might see them more often from Tyneside but, these days, one might very often miss them because of the light pollution. You would need to be well away from the towns to get the full glory of them.
This website should help you discover when you are most likely to see them: http://www.dcs.lancs.ac.uk/iono/aurorawatch/
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
22 Dec 09
Living now in Northern Ireland,I've never seen for myself and don't think I'm far enough north to be able to see this intriguing phenomenon...Although having lived in Glasgow,I remember there was a song about "The Northern Lights of old Aberdeen",so maybe I'm not so far away that I couldn't go to see them in Scotland Sometime!
@benny128 (3615)
•
22 Dec 09
well flights to the mainland uk ain't that expensive I would guess,
not sure if you can see them in newcastle been told you can but not sure how accurate it is,
just think its one of those free firework shows that nature throws at us from time to time,
just like the meteor showers we get from time to time totally amazing to watch and shows us how tiny and insignificant we are in the life of the earth and the universe.
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
22 Dec 09
That's an experience that's topof my 'Bucket List' too. I've wanted to see it since I was a little kid. I'd love to be able to afford to do the trip that Joanna Lumley did in that documentary... maybe, one day. If you can see them from Newcastle upon Tyne I could afford to go there!
@nautilus33 (1827)
•
22 Dec 09
NO! I have never seen them, but I want it very mmuch! I have read a lot about them, I know why we see them, but I never have the opportunity to see them!
