Is it true that people in Fort Mcmurray, AB arent going to be seeing the northern lights for a while, thanks to all the natural disaasters?!
2006-09-02 20:22:24 · 5 answers · asked by cand-e 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
i dont know if it's even true, that's why i'm asking...
2006-09-02 20:37:06 · update #1
Nope. Aurora Borealis are affected more by "weather" on the sun than disasters on the earth. There seems to be an 11-year cycle of "sunspot" activity on the sun, which in turn affects the Aurora Borealis. In other words, 2001 and 2012-13 are peak years for Aurora Borealis. 2006 is about the lowest point on that cycle.
On the other hand, pollution or heavy clouds would definitely affect the visibility of the Aurora, as would daylight or the phase of the moon.
Still, you should get some activity. It looks like the weekend of the 22nd has a good chance of decent Aurora, based on Carrington Rotations. Lucky you, at your proximity to the geomagnetic pole, you're able to view very low levels of Aurora activity! There's also a new or sliver moon that weekend, with a fairly low path in the sky. The moon's most southerly path in its 18.6 year cycle should happen the next weekend, at about first quarter.
More information in the links below.
2006-09-02 20:53:48 · answer #1 · answered by Beckee 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only "natural disaster" that would increase the likelihood of the northern lights being visible would be a polarity reversal of Earth's magnetic field which occurs periodically every several tens of thousands of years (and some say we are due for another reversal). For a few years during that time, there is NO magnetic field to speak of and the auroras would be visible at ALL latitudes all the way down to the equator.
The biggest hazard for life on Earth would be if the polarity reversal occured during a period of intense solar flare activity as there would be less protection from high energy particles bombarding the Earth.
2006-09-03 14:07:06 · answer #2 · answered by Search first before you ask it 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Which natural dissasters. The northern lights or the "aurora borealis" is caused by electrons hitting our upper atmosphere. This is caused by atomic oxygen and atomic nitrogen getting bombarded Hurricanes shouldn't change the elements present in the upper atmosphere.
2006-09-03 03:32:41 · answer #3 · answered by To Be Free 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Haven't heard this yet!
Might want to give them a call & ask!
2006-09-03 03:30:44 · answer #4 · answered by jennifersuem 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
not sure.
2006-09-03 03:25:27 · answer #5 · answered by ipodipod 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋