Northern Lights

A coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the active sunspot AR3842 on October 1st. On the 3rd, it was reported that the sunspot AR3842 had exploded again, and now two CMEs were headed for Earth. The forecast predicted that the first CME would strike Earth on October 4th and the second on October 6th. Geomagnetic storms were expected to arrive on the weekend of October 5th and 6th, bringing with them the northern lights.

The news improved when smaller CMEs were also observed heading for Earth. However, forecasting weather with 100 percent accuracy on Earth is challenging enough, let alone predicting the northern lights when something is arriving from the Sun that’s 150 million kilometers away.

The lights started slowly, becoming visible on the night of the 6th, but the big show began in the mountains as soon as it got dark on October 7th. The intensity of the lights seemed to increase four separate times that night, revealing colours beyond just green to our naked eyes. As we enjoyed the northern lights, the sunspot AR3842 was not done yet. A bigger explosion occurred on the 7th, and a more powerful CME was on its way, striking on the night of October 10th. But that’s a story for another time.

Northern Lights

The Sun's magnetic field goes through a solar cycle roughly every 11 years, with the current one expected to peak in 2025. During this cycle, the magnetic field flips, and the north and south poles switch places. After another 11 years, they flip back. The Sun becomes more active and stormier toward the end of the 11-year solar cycle, going from solar minimum to solar maximum. During solar maximum, a larger number of sunspots appear. Sunspots are areas where the magnetic field is around 2,500 times stronger than Earth's, much higher than anywhere else on the Sun. Solar flares, which release large quantities of energy from the Sun, are more likely to occur during this period.

During solar maximum, with more active sunspots releasing energy, intense radiation storms can collide with Earth's outer atmosphere. Causing electrical disruptions and satellite and communication problems. However, these storms can also bring us Northern Lights. The stronger the storms, the more intense and the further south the lights will be visible. There are different levels of solar flares, with class A being the smallest, followed by classes B, C, M, and X. With each class, there is a smaller scale from 1 to 9, with X9 being the highest. There have already been six X-level solar flares this year, as many as there were throughout 2022.

If the sunspot from which the flares are coming is not facing toward Earth, the chance of seeing Northern Lights is small. That has been the case for most of this past winter. However, on March 23-24, 2023, we had X-level solar flares that caused a category G4 geomagnetic storm. G1 being a minor event and G5 being an extreme event. This was the most intense solar storm since 2017, the Northern Lights were visible across Canada and as far south as New Mexico.

Although the lights were visible in Banff NP. The lights were more intense and visible at certain times and locations. It's important to note that just like a snowstorm covering western Canada, it does not mean all areas always will be getting equal amounts of snow falling. Just as Earth weather, many factors play in space weather. Some locations in the park reported seeing green and red colors with the naked eye. However, it's worth noting that the visibility of the Northern Lights varied greatly depending on the time, location, and weather conditions.

Overall, it was an enjoyable experience for many locals and visitors who were out and about trying to find a dark spot to see the lights. I personally saw mostly green light, with a brief glimpse of red. My camera, having a more sensitive sensor than my eyes, was able to pick up deeper and more colours. The temperature was comfortable enough to stay outside and enjoy most of the night. Here's hoping for a few more nights like that before we go to the other side of the solar maximum.

Northern Lights

The Northern Lights have never been more popular than they are today, a big thanks to the internet and digital cameras. Fast moving electrically charged particles coming from the Sun, collide with oxygen and nitrogen gas in the Earth’s atmosphere. As they come down into the atmosphere, the particles pass on their energy to the oxygen and nitrogen molecules, getting them all excited. When the molecules return to their normal state, they release photons, a small amount of energy in the form of light. When billions of these collisions occur, there is enough light for our eyes to detect. This glow can light up the sky in various colours. Since it’s dimmer than sunlight, it’s only visible during the night. The different colours of the aurora depend on which gas is being excited and how much energy is being released. Many of us were witnesses to this amazing natural light show, in October and November.

Northern Lights

Last week Wednesday night the bright Northern Lights covered much of the sky for a short period of time. As soon as I stepped outside, the lights were clearly visible in town, even with the Banff street lights. I decided that was the night I was going to take pictures of the Northern Light from town. Went to few location including next to the Bow River. The brightness from the town lights  made it difficult getting the reflection on the water of the lightsbut I was able to for some of the stars, including the  big dipper. It was a night losing some sleep over.

Northern Lights

Less then a week ago the night sky was lit up with Northern Lights, they were so bright in Banff National Park, one could see them in the town of Banff surrounded by street lights. It seems like  half of the town was up to watch, while the other half slept, only to find out in the morning what they missed. There are far more reliable place to watch Northern Lights in Canada, but that night you would have thought Banff was on that list. When you can look south and or stand in town and still see the lights, then it was a special night..  If you missed it, eat chocolate everyday until the next aurora borealis night. 
 

Northern Lights

Most of the times when we get northern Lights in Banff, we don't see the colours, just a glow in the northern sky. This was the case few weeks back when I decided to go out and take pictures of it. My camera's sensor being more powerful than my eyes, they were able to pick up the green. Then it was matter of finding some open water and compose a picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Northern Lights

As soon as I stepped outside around 11 pm, I could see the flicking of light in the dark sky, the Northern Lights were dancing. After a quick drive, I was on a trail I walked more times then I can count. With light on my head and in hand, I stopped along the the section of the rivers that had the calm water to take pictures from, I was the only one there taking pictures. I wanted to avoid where the crowds were, but after few hours I head in that direction, hoping most had made their way home. I was right, I found a quite spot shared by one other, who was out there for the same reason, to watch nature's firework. 

Until next moment.

Amar

Northern Lights

Few nights ago we had an amazing Northern Lights show in the park. The lights were visible as soon it was dark and continued most of the night. I spent time on both side of the Bow Valley taking pictures, at times the lights were visible any direction I looked. I only left for home when the show winded down, what a night.

Until next moment,

Amar

Northern Lights over Peyto Lake

It was a good thing I had the following day off, because the night was short the northern lights did not become visible until well after mid-night and few hours later dawn was on its way. But before that took place, many of us got to see a beautiful light show in the sky, thanks to the Northern lights. One of the brightest moment was seeing a very bright shooting  star, did not get a picture of it, but something my brain will never let me forget. Once I was finish shooting the lights, I though I get an hour of rest before getting pictures of the sunrise. I was too excited to get any rest, before I knew it I was looking for a different spot to take pictures of the sunrise around Peyto Lake. The sunrise was great as well, picture of that a  another time. 

Until next moment, 

Amar 

Northern Lights

Another picture from that special night. I like many other stopped taking pictures that night not because the light show stopped, but because we started running out of darkness. In this picture I was looking south, that's how great the night was.

Until next moment,

Amar

Northern Lights

It was the night of Northern Lights. With the warm weather it was not hard to time outside taking in the lights and taking as any pictures I could.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Rundle

Left where most were watching and taking pictures of the Northern Lights to a quite place. I decided to to do long exposures to create star trails, but there is always a chance one takes. In this case others playing a role in the picture unintentionally. In this case a car leaving on the right. I decided to let it be part of the end picture.

Cheers,

Amar

Northern Lights at Lake Minnewanka

Joined many others at Lake Minnewanka to take pictures of the Northern Lights. It was a warm night, making it easier to be out there for few hours, enjoying the event. I have been missing out on the lights the last few times, so it was great fun to be out there to watch one of nature's wonder.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Rundle

This image is the last of the series taken few nights ago. Before the clouds moved in, my eyes and of course the camera's sensor could see the Northern Lights. I was bit under the weather that night, but it was hard staying inside. Glad I got out.

Until next moment,

Amar

Northern Lights

Few nights ago I was outside looking and taking pictures of Northern Lights. They were not as bright as I have seen other nights this year, but the camera's sensor was doing its magic.

Until next moment,

Amar

Northern Lights over Mtn Rundle

I thought I was heading for my bed, but an email came through, indicating there was a possibility of Northern Lights. Ten minutes later I was on my way out and another ten minutes more, I was taking pictures of Northern Lights. Even though the camera's sensor sees lot more then my naked eyes, the more my eyes got used to the night, the better the lights got.

Until next moment,

Amar

Northern Lights

We had a beautiful night in Banff, the sky was full of Northern Lights. The mind wanted to stay out but the body needed rest.

Until next moment,

Amar

Northern Lights

Another Northern Lights picture from few nights back, with the Sundance Range below.

Until next moment,

Amar

Northern Lights

Last night the sky was just amazing.

Until next moment,

Amar

Northern Lights over Sundance

As great as it was seeing the northern lights last Friday, the camera's sensor always picks up more colours and details. For this images I was actually looking south, the light show was that good. The moon was making its way up and helped bring out the blue sky and the details in the landscape as well. It was a beautiful night worth losing sleep over.

Until next moment,

Amar