Big year for aurora activity, just not in Kamloops, Okanagan yet
While more aurora borealis activity is predicted, Kamloops and the Okanagan haven’t seen much of it yet.
The sun has an 11-year cycle and is nearing a peak of solar activity, increasing the chances of seeing the dazzling northern lights.
While viewers in the northern regions of the province have been fortunate to see northern light displays this year, sky watchers in the southern regions haven’t been as lucky.
“There has been activity further north but it’s a bit more of a crap shoot where you are and further south,” Chris Gainor with the Royal Canadian Astronomical Society said.
The sun is made of electrically charged gas that generates a powerful magnetic field and every 11 years the sun’s north and south poles switch places, according to NASA. The activity on the surface of the sun increases as the magnetic fields change sending more energy and material into space, which can cause aurora.
“Aurora are related to storms on the sun and the solar wind coming out from it,” Gainor said. “Earth’s magnetic belts protect us from it but it can come in at the poles and create the colourful auroras that are harmless.”
Gainor said while satellites can track solar activity, the sun’s activity is unpredictable, and there are other variables that make seeing the lights a challenge.
“There was a solar storm a few days ago but unfortunately it came in at the middle of the day, stuff like that happens and it might be on a particular night when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
“Part of the problem is if you live in a place that is all lit up, like downtown Kamloops, it isn’t the greatest place but a few miles out of town gives a better chance.”
READ MORE: Devil Comet becoming visible in night skies over Kamloops, Okanagan
Dennis Kitto is an avid photographer in Kamloops who is known to capture photos of the sky in the middle of the night has witnessed several aurora light shows in past years.
“I have friends that use an app to try and track them but I don’t find the apps to be all that accurate, it all comes down to if Mother Nature will provide you or not,” he said in a previous interview with iNFOnews.ca
With any luck viewers in Kamloops and the Okanagan will see a northern light display soon.
If you get photos of the northern lights and want to share, send them to news@infonews.ca so we can feature them.
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