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Post by johnmc on Jul 11, 2006 10:56:14 GMT
Got a text from Conor early on about possible NLC's then at 0230BST I got one from Martin, thanks guy's! Took a few images but this one is representative of what it was like. I took this from the driveway and as you can see I'm hampered somewhat by trees.
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Post by Veronica on Jul 11, 2006 12:46:35 GMT
Glad you were able to see and capture a display, John! Was expecting something last night myself, but an early start for work mean I couldn't stay up too late. Looks like it was a decent enough display too!
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Post by Martin Mc kenna on Jul 11, 2006 14:11:30 GMT
Hi John Thats a very good image, the NLC bands and other details are very obvious above the rooftops! I spotted the first indication of a forming NLC display at 23.45 BST as a white diffuse glow then after a while it seemed to fade. At 02.10 however i observed the NLCs experience a very rapid growth from a country location, within 20 mins it had turned into a stunning display 22* high, 80* in azimuth in the NW - NE sky through Lynx, S.Uma, N.Gemini, Auriga and Perseus. It was so bright (type 5) that it severly impaired my dark adaption! The structure was awesome with Veil, folds with shadows, knots, kinks, bands crossing at steep angles, sand ripples, net and several types of structure i have never seen before which stood out in very sharp contrast to the background veil. It was so easy to see that i was able to focus my camera on the ripples through the LCD screen with complete ease. The NLCs were still visible at 03.30 when i retired for the night. I also caught the display very easily using the camera on my mobile phone! Over the last 8 days in a row i have seen 7 NLC displays were nearly all of them were bright extensive displays with 3 stunning apparitions. John do you think this marks the peak of this current NLC season? and is this high rate of sightings (24 ive seen ) a normal trend or an indication of enhanced activity this season? Images..
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Post by johnmc on Jul 11, 2006 16:09:02 GMT
Martin, if there is such a thing as a peak for NLC's it must surely be here as I have not seen many displays beyond towards the end of July. One thing is certain however, this is the best season I can remember, and that's going back to the mid 1960's. It definitely has to be enhanced activity coupled with the minimum of Solar activity.
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