Was the aurora once-in-a-lifetime? It seemed like typical-ish solar maximum stuff, which happens every 20 or so years. Was there something special about those specifically?
I saw the aurora when I was in my 20s and I wasn’t able to see it this time, so I guess it’s been once in my lifetime so far? But potentially not in the lifetime of others. And I assume a regular event for those living far enough north.
It was unusual in how far south it was visible in many regions of the world. It’s been roughly 50 years since the last time that happened.
Obviously the subjective impact depends a lot on where you live. Some see it every year, others only will get the chance when the Sun explodes and strips away our magnetosphere entirely. Which hopefully will not become a centennial event.
Not all solar maximums are created equal, and the cycle is only 11ish years. Our last maximum for example was one of the weakest we’ve ever seen, this one seems unusually strong.
Was the aurora once-in-a-lifetime? It seemed like typical-ish solar maximum stuff, which happens every 20 or so years. Was there something special about those specifically?
I saw the aurora when I was in my 20s and I wasn’t able to see it this time, so I guess it’s been once in my lifetime so far? But potentially not in the lifetime of others. And I assume a regular event for those living far enough north.
It was unusual in how far south it was visible in many regions of the world. It’s been roughly 50 years since the last time that happened. Obviously the subjective impact depends a lot on where you live. Some see it every year, others only will get the chance when the Sun explodes and strips away our magnetosphere entirely. Which hopefully will not become a centennial event.
Not all solar maximums are created equal, and the cycle is only 11ish years. Our last maximum for example was one of the weakest we’ve ever seen, this one seems unusually strong.