qathet’s got flare

Solar flare, that is. Learn to hunt celestial events before they peak in 2025.

BY PIETA WOOLLEY

Strange things are afoot in the night sky over qathet. They’re about to get stranger – and potentially, even more exquisite.

The sun is shooting out more and more solar flares as we get closer to the height of its 11-year cycle – a heart beat, some people call it – which will peak in 2025. And, the earth’s magnetic field is shifting quickly, which messes with the energy from the sun’s flares, resulting in really magnificent aurora borealis stretching right overhead as far south as Northern California – and, of course, qathet.

So far this year, there have been 10 potential light shows, and four that have actually roused this region’s aurora-hunters. Standing by after midnight with their cameras – and their pants – are Carl Anderson and Doris Guevara-Isert, and the rest of the local astrophotographers club.

“At the March event, I just thought, ‘OMG this is the biggest, baddest, highest aurora ever,’” said Doris, who shoots most often from Mowat Bay and the Lookout on Marine Ave. “The colours were greenish, reddish and violet. I’m on Cloud 9.”

AFTER THE SUN SETS: Doris Guevara-Isert’s “long-dreamed shot” of the city lights in front of the Auroras.

Doris Guevara Photography @dorismguevara

“Normally I do 10 to 12 second exposures just to get something,” said Carl. “But this last one was so bright, I have images that were exposed for just two seconds, and they are over exposed.”

This synchronistic stew of solar flares and magnetic shifts means these auroras may be a once-in-a-lifetime trend. Seeing them in their full glory is a skill though – and one worth honing as we head towards the peak in 2025. Carl and Doris have been working on their aurora hunting skills for years. Their greatest attribute is willingness to leave their homes in the middle of the night – knowing they may capture nothing.

“People are constantly asking us when we post on social media: when is the next one?” said Doris. “We don’t know. We only ever have about an hour’s notice – and even then, we don’t know how bright they’ll be. It has to be dark, there has to be no clouds.

“We generally know two or three days in advance that there has been a CME [Coronal Mass Ejection from the sun] and that it may hit the earth’s atmosphere,” said Carl, noting that anything over a KP6 will likely result in aurora. “They don’t always hit us.”

So, they’re on stand-by all the time. The club pays attention to sky-watchers in Alberta, who alert each other about remarkable aurora about an hour before they arrive here – a helpful time frame. But mostly, their greatest asset is just getting out of bed and being okay with disappointment.

WHAT YOU’RE MISSING WHEN YOU’RE SNOOZING: Carl Anderson captured a “barcode aurora” beginning February 27.

Carl Anderson (Sea Forest Photography)

“The reason we get the pictures is because we’re consistent,” said Doris. “Even after we get an alert, most of the time we’re not going to get anything spectacular. We might like one photo of 200 we take.”

Cameras can capture colours and brightnesses that the human eye can miss. But faint auroras are present almost every night in the summer after dark, as a faint green haze just over the horizon to the north. So are noctilucent clouds, the Milky Way, meteors, and much more celestial activity. You just need to know what to look for. Again, a skill worth honing.

“We’re so spoiled,” said Carl. “Everywhere you go here there’s dark sky. People in the US will drive for hours to find an area that’s as dark as it is in the middle of town here.”

WHAT YOU’RE MISSING WHEN YOU’RE SNOOZING: February 27 image of shocking crimson and magenta auroras over Mowat Bay.

Doris Guevara Photography’s (@dorismguevara)

WHAT YOU’RE MISSING WHEN YOU’RE SNOOZING: Carl’s “tiskwat aurora” - an extra-tall show seen from the Westview Ferry Terminal.

Carl Anderson (Sea Forest Photography)

See these night sky events over qathet this season:

Aurora

This solar cycle is already way stronger than predicted, with many large solar flares already observed, a few of which have resulted in spectacular shows in qathet. These events are expected to continue, so keep your eyes on the northern horizon in the darkest of night.

Milky Way

MW season has started in the northern hemisphere, with the core being visible to the south if we ever get clear skies at night.

Noctilucent Clouds

Until early September, these shining white stratospheric clouds can be viewed approximately an hour prior to sunrise and one hour post sunset to the north. Technically when the sun is between -6 and -15 degrees below the horizon.

Meteor showers

The Delta Aquarids in July and the Perseids in August are the most anticipated showers of the year. This year the Perseids peak on August 11, which corresponds to a new moon so the skies will be especially dark. Note that the peak refers to the anticipated maximum frequency of meteors, the days surrounding the peak can be as good or better.

Moons

August will feature a “blue moon” of super moons, meaning the month will be bookended by supermoons. If you happen to be up early on these mornings, near the ocean, watch the sky to the west during sunrise for a very beautiful and iconic westcoast sight.