Photography Lesson DO

[Something Fishy]

So like the Lake George area would be good? (I'm just trying to get a handle on how far of a drive we're talking about)

Lake George is probably horrible. Far too bright. We have to get to the middle of nowhere really.

I can't check it at work, but at home I'll be able to check the dark sky map and have a location in five minutes.

As far as drive I'd say less than 4 hours, it's not really doable if it's any longer.

[myb821]

Peak aurora activity is generally past 2am. So leave early evening, and head back maybe 4ish?

It's tough on a weekday, pity it isn't on motzei shabbos.

And remember - far too often aurora shoots are a bust. Not trying to be a party pooper, just making sure everyone understands...

Not sure if it would work for me will probably need to be at work by 8 and figure the Adirondacks is around 4 hour drive If we left 4ish I would never make it back in time. maybe another time.

[myb821]

Lake George is probably horrible. Far too bright. We have to get to the middle of nowhere really.

I can't check it at work, but at home I'll be able to check the dark sky map and have a location in five minutes.

As far as drive I'd say less than 4 hours, it's not really doable if it's any longer.

lets talk tonight when u have a location.

[Something Fishy]

lets talk tonight when u have a location.

And approval from my wife

[myb821]

And approval from my wife

after we talk I need to get the same if its doable.

[whYME]

Lake George is probably horrible.

I figured, that why I said Lake George area, meaning about that far out...




One side point which may or may not apply here, one thing we realized at #DDFphotoDOCLE was that it has to be capped at 5 people, it just wouldn't work with more... 

[noturbizniss]

Aghhhh don't know how I missed this thread all week. Just added myself at the end.

[SamKey]

Lake George is probably horrible. Far too bright. We have to get to the middle of nowhere really.

I can't check it at work, but at home I'll be able to check the dark sky map and have a location in five minutes.

As far as drive I'd say less than 4 hours, it's not really doable if it's any longer.

Lake Placid?

[Achas Veachas]

Lake Placid?

That's like 5 hours away. Almost at the border...

[A3]

Ill go. Do we get super powers from seeing it ?

[Bostener]

What do we need to bring along?

[mb1]

What do we need to bring along?

Toe warmers!

[Something Fishy]

So here’s the lowdown:
 
NOAA is predicting a KP up to 7. That means that anything 52.2° magnetic north could possibly see the aurora overhead. Locations from 47.2° should see it on the horizon, with the display getting higher and higher overhead the more north you are.
 
The southern part of the Adirondacks  (Lake Pleasant area) is at about 52.25° - absolutely perfect. That night sky there has a Limiting Magnitude of 7.1-7.5, which is the second to darkest rating – again, perfect. Driving time from Brooklyn is 4:10.
 
There’s one location closer to the city with a decent LM, and that’s Pepacton Reservoir NW of Liberty in the Catskills. It’s a 2:45 drive from NY, but not only is it a low altitude, it’s also about 1-1.5° further south in latitude. That means that if (and it’s a big “if”) the KP 7 pans out, there may[i/] be something to see. If the KP is any lower, there probably won’t be anything much, while there may still be a chance up in the Adirondacks.

[Ergel]

Anything close to yyz?

[Something Fishy]

Anything close to yyz?

YYZ is at 54°, so it's pretty good. Get out of the city (at least 2 hours, preferably north), otherwise you won't see anything. Georgian Bay National Park may work.

[A3]

In in monsey, so already closer. What time would u leave. In interested in joining.

[Something Fishy]

And approval from my wife

Aaaaand... I'm cleared!

Updated the wiki - please put your name in if you're coming and remove it if you're not.

This will pretty much be an all-night affair. We should probably leave around 8 (later if you're coming from Monsey), and we'll probably get back home around 8.

Bring along:

• DSLR or similar (in order to get good pictures it'll have to great in low light, so any fairly new one would work)
• Your widest, fastest (largest aperture) lens
• Tripod
• WARM clothing - including gloves and hat (and toe warmers )
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Lots of patience. Aurora hunting is not for the impatient, there'll be lots of sitting around and waiting

All this of course is if the weather and space forecast remain favorable. There's no point in going out if the KP falls below 6 or if there are clouds predicted.

[myb821]

Ahhhhhhhhh I want to go so badly!but i need to be at work in jersey city by 730 grrrrrrr

[whYME]

how rare is this? i.e.how often does a chance like this come up around here?

[Something Fishy]

how rare is this? i.e.how often does a chance like this come up around here?

As far as I could tell, once per 1 year or so.

Also remember that we're at year 10 of the 11-year solar maximum cycle, so there's only this winter and next where there's a chance of this happening (under normal circumstances). After this it'll be another 11 year wait.