Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Aurora Australis Not Borealis

Posted by Hemos on from the the-beauty-of-the-south dept.

jurasource writes "The BBC is running an article about the Aurora Australis, or the southern lights, as opposed to Aurora Borealis, the northen lights. Apparently these pictures are quite rare as hardly anyone lives at the south pole during the winter, and who can blame them !"

10 comments

  1. Must have been by flewp · · Score: 2

    a relief to see some light (cool looking too) during those months of almost constant darkness.
    Also, are there any other landmasses in the southern hemisphere that ever get to see this, or are they too far from the pole? Occasionally, I remember as a kid, being able to see northern lights, and I live in the northern midwest of the USA.

    --
    WWJD.... for a Klondike bar?
    1. Re:Must have been by Black+Aardvark+House · · Score: 1

      Yes, you can see them in South Africa.

      --

      I am the evil aardvark!

  2. obligitory Simpsons reference... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Superintendent Chalmers: Good golly! What is happening in there?!
    Seymour Skinner: Aurora Borealis
    SC: Aurora Borealis!
    At this time of year! [starts soft and gets progressively louder]
    At this time of day!
    In this part of the country!
    Localized entirely within your kitchen!?
    SS: Yes.
    [SC shows look of stun]

    1. Re:obligitory Simpsons reference... by jx100 · · Score: 2, Funny

      May I see it?

    2. Re:obligitory Simpsons reference... by Cyno01 · · Score: 1

      no

      --
      "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
  3. Aurora Australis by darkleopard · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I've read in the past that the Aurora Australis can be seen from southern Australia and New Zealand during rare peak periods of the Sun's eleven year cycle. This being one of those periods, if all things fall into place maybe we'll see some pic's from downundersoon.

    1. Re:Aurora Australis by mooncake · · Score: 1

      yes its true, i have family friends at the southern tip of tasmania [aust.] who talk about the lights. i've seen their photos too, but i don't think they're online kinda people so they won't be appearing anywhere soon.

  4. It doesn't really matter. . . by bplipschitz · · Score: 2, Informative

    . . .that no one at the South Pole regularly sees the Aurora. AFAIK, what is seen as Aurora Borealis at the North Pole is mirrored at the South Pole. Therefore, what you see at the North Pole is a mirror image of what could be seen at the South Pole at the very same time.

    Although, after reading this site, it sounds more like it *can* happen, vs it *always* happens.

    www.space.com/scienceastronomy/generalscience/au ro ra_animation_011030.html

    1. Re:It doesn't really matter. . . by Donwulff · · Score: 1

      Except that due to less civilization, there's less light pollution (and other kind of pollution, ie. smog) out there, meaning the aurora is brighter and more spectacular, were someone there to observe it.

      Ps. the solar max is well past us now. This doesn't, in essence, mean that strong geomagnetic storms that could cause such auroral activity don't happen anymore, the solar max affects more their frequency of appearance. Because of this it's unlikely further expeditions will be sent in to picture them anymore.