I’ve wanted to see the northern lights for as long as I can remember. There is a certain mystique about the phrase itself that I’ve found to be so endearing and so captivating- as if it is describing a frontier that only one’s own imagination could conjure up.
I missed the aurora event in May- the one that was so powerful it could be seen in Florida. And last week, a long duration northern lights storm was forecasted to hit but it under-delivered (around here at least). Despite an active cycle and many sightings in the area, I had come up largely empty. Some aurora activity occurred on the evening of Sunday, October 6th but it coincided with kids bedtimes so by the time I arrived on scene (Marblehead Light) it had all but faded. However, I caught a glimpse of it on camera. To be fair, it was a faint aurora but it was my first ever encounter with it and my adrenaline spiked as high as the thermosphere from which it originated
The following evening, the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) issued an aurora alert, which was a huge surprise based on an uneventful forecast. I observed a giant purple arc in the night sky towards the east, but post hoc, learned it was actually a SAR (stable aurora red) arc; a signature of heat transfer that takes place in the upper atmosphere, caused by strong geomagnetic storms. It wasn't an aurora, which was a bit of a let down and felt like a consolation prize but it was moving nonetheless- truly fascinating was the revelation of layers of our atmosphere that are normally invisible. One can only imagine how observations like this were interpreted by ancient civilizations.
The next morning, saw multiple reports of aurora sightings which occurred 45 minutes after I had gone home. It made me realize how difficult they are to spot and how fickle, unpredictable and temperamental they can be. Aurora hunting at the 42nd latitudinal parallel seemed like a fools game. Determined to see this celestial wonder in better form, I kept the NOAA alerts on and was motivated by the fact that solar flares are expected to peak into next year.
Then on Tuesday, October 8th, the alerts started to go off. A severe geomagnetic storm was on its way. A sizable piece of plasma was ejected from the sun and hurled directly towards earth. Named X1.8 based on its intensity, and originating from sunspot AR 3848, this solar projectile would wind up traveling 93 million miles in about 2 days, causing a historically powerful northern lights display. I never knew we had such detailed data on the sun. Nor did I know what I would be in for, but prepared a list of places in town that would pair well with a north-facing aurora. Here was my itinerary:
Stop #1: Riverhead Beach.
Traffic was building towards Marblehead Neck at 9:30pm; a good sign for seeing the aurora, since this has become an aurora-viewing hotspot due to its lack of light pollution. Immediately upon exiting my car, I could see the aurora! It looked a little hazy but there was a green tint to it that the photo sensor in my camera detected much better than my middle aged lens. Also present was a purple SAR-arc which contrasted beautifully with the aurora. Here are two shots from that location, with the second one showing home base for SUP East Coast Style.
Stop #2: Eastern Yacht Club
While I was here, saw the aurora go off the charts. It happened relatively quickly, with colors in the sky exploding. It was surreal. Components of our atmosphere were being uncloaked- parts that aren't often talked about in mainstream outlets, but are vital to our survival on earth. The northern lights were putting on a show for the ages- the next 30 minutes were extraordinary and unforgettable. Here are some of the highlights:
Stop #3: Marblehead Light
Trying to stick with my itinerary, despite the urge to hunker down and shoot here all night, raced over to a crowded Chandler Hovey Park. The Northern Lights were still extremely active at this point. The vibe at the park was amazing.
Stop #4: Redd's Pond
Unsure of how much longer this incredible display of lights would go on for, risked it and drove to Redd's Pond, eager to capture more locations in town during this extremely rare event.
Stop #5: The Shanties
Stop #6: Fort Sewall
Leave a comment