Question: Could ever Aurora reach The Black Sea territory?

Asked by irinamartis to Anna, Daniel, Denise on 26 Jun 2014.

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  1. Photo: Denise De GaetanoDenise De Gaetano
    answered on 26 Jun 2014:

    Dear Irinamarits,

    I do not know the answer to that question unfortunately. I’ll also be learning from the other scientists! 🙂

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  2. Photo: Anna RabittiAnna Rabitti
    answered on 26 Jun 2014:

    Hi irinamartis,
    I have searched a bit in the internet (Aurora Borealis location is not really my speciality) and I found that the lowest latitude at which Aurora has been spotted is around 30-35 degree (North, in the occasion of a great magnetic storm in 1921), so in theory, yes, it could be visible from the Black Sea, that is located North of that, at about 44 North.
    However, the chances to observe an Aurora at such low latitudes are really low, and I agree if you are disappointed. The only times I heard an Aurora was visible from where I live (about 53 degree North) it was so cloudy I could not see anything! I was sooooo disappointed.
    However, if you really want to see one, you can use this as a good excuse for a nice holiday in one Northern countries, such as Alaska, northern parts of Canada, Greenland, Iceland and Northern Norway, Sweden or Finland.
    You will have to bring very warm clothes with you, but you’ll be surely watching an amazing show!

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  3. Photo: Daniel Lao DavilaDaniel Lao Davila
    answered on 26 Jun 2014:

    Hi irinamatis:
    It would be difficult for the aurora borealis to be seen at that latitude because of the shape of the magnetic field of the Earth. The northern and southern lights can be seen close to the north and south poles because the magnetic field is inclined very steep in these regions, allowing for some solar radiation to penetrate into the atmosphere. At lower latitudes, the magnetic field is not as steeply inclined and will channel the solar radiation past the Earth.

    However, in some cases the aurora borealis can be seen at lower latitudes. This occurs when the Sun has an increase in solar radiation which occurs every 11 years. So, your best bet would be to look up on the dates when there are solar radiation storms, which are already known by scientists. And, hope that you have a cloudless night.

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Comments

  1. Photo: irinamartisirinamartis
    commented on 26 Jun 2014:

    Thank you.You are the best geoscientists.

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