04 March, 2009

Northern Lights

While I have seen the aurora borealis, or northern lights, I do not have the photographic expertise to take these pictures. Some are taken over a period of a few minutes, but since they are so beautiful, I want to share.


The northern lights are often green.


They can appear as curtains of light,

or arcs,

While seen far north in the arctic circle near the north magnetic pole, if there is a strong geomagnetic storm, they can sometimes be seen here in Pennsylvania.



Our family went to Cherry Springs State Park in north central Pennsylvania. The park is dedicated to stargazing. It's primitive and in the middle of nowhere, so there is no light pollution. If you go there during a new moon, there are astronomers from all over the northeast. One of the astronomers pointed out the aurora borealis to me. Dumb me I did not recognize it because it was white.

Cherry Springs State Park is a wonderful place to take your family to view the night sky. You do not even need a telescope. The milky way, International Space Station, iridium flares, satellites and meteors can be seen with the naked eye. Or just walk up to one of the astronomers and introduce yourself. They love to show share their love of the sky and let you look through their big Dobsonian telescopes. Be quick, they say, the earth is rotating.

Check out A Southern Daydreamer where Susan is hosting Outdoor Wednesday, to see what others outdoor pictures are being shared. Thanks Susan.





17 comments:

Becky K. said...

We love Cherry Springs and go at least once per year. I am so glad you shared this.

Kristie R said...

beautiful!

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday Karen! Wow...the northern light pictures are beautiful....as is Cherry Springs Park...Thanks for sharing your photos.

Susan

Sue said...

Oh My just fantastic pictures.
Thank you for sharing.
Sue

Light and Voices said...

I have never been to Cherry Springs. Perhaps I should put this on my bucket list. Northern lights surrounded me at about 10:00PM on Sand Lake, Wisconsin. The world looked like it was on fire. Totally inspired by the Northern lights that you posted for OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY.
Joyce

Anonymous said...

Hello,

This is fantastic!


~ Gabriela ~

Chandy said...

Gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing ... Have a great Wednesday!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Have a great day!

Missy Wertz said...

And they are beautiful.

Happy OW!

JudyBug said...

Gorgeous pics. Your furbaby looks so much like my furbaby!

JudyBug

Cass @ That Old House said...

Wow, I had no idea you could see the Aurora Borealis from Pennsylvania! How amazing.

I've only seen it in planes flying across the Atlantic -- it is unforgettable once seen. Thank you SO much for this lovely post.
Cass

Anonymous said...

Just Beautiful! Thanks for sharing...Have a wonderful week...Kathy

Gone said...

Oh my...how pretty!!

You still have a couple of days to sign up for our NEWEST BLOG MAKE-OVER!! Hope you hop on over!!

;-)

Mo..."Mo's Cottage" said...

WOW !!! WOW !!! WOW !!!! Amazing and beautiful.....we live in a wonderful world...great pictures....
Hugs,
Mo :-)

Kat said...

What gorgeous photos! Thanks so much for sharing these. Kathy

Danette said...

Oh My Goodness! What stunning pictures. I've never heard of Cherry Springs but would love to go there. Thanks for sharing these fantastic photos.

~CC Catherine said...

Karen, These pics are something else! WOW...very cool! ~CC Catherine