The equinoxes bring "aurora season".
Scientists have observed for some time now that around the equinoxes, in the months of March and September, Earth seems to have a greater occurrence of aurorae. While they are still not entirely sure why this is so, it gives us another reason to look forward to spring skies.
I like to check the POES web site if I want to know how active the aurora is. The NOAA POES satellite has various web pages that report the data it is receiving. I check out the location and size of the auroral oval to see if there is a chance of seeing it from where I live. I also like to check the recent data plots page. Under activity level, the bigger the number means the more active aurorae have been. For most people in the continental US to see aurora, the activity level has to be at 10. There is also a link to watch the most recent data blended into an animated movie of the auroral oval as it fluctuates.
If there is no activity near you but you still want to get a glimpse of what other people are seeing, go to spaceweather.com. Here you will find reports of where in the world the aurora is putting on its show, and observers are always happy to share their best shots with the web site.
Tonight the activity level is at a 7, so I am off to gaze at some good photos of the northern lights, and hope that I get my turn to see them firsthand very soon.
