The other day there was a solar event, so I was keeping an eye out last night. After a hint from a friend on facebook, I decided to drive out. I was wearing PJs and didn't bother changing - if I had gotten dressed, there certainly wouldn't have been any lights, right? Anyway, I grabbed the camera and off I went.
Within minutes of leaving home, I could see faint glows. They kept appearing and disappearing so I was worried I'd miss everything! By the time I got out to my spot, all you could see was a very faint band on the horizon. I settled in to wait. Shortly, I noticed pale, thin bands arcing across the sky - kind of like the trail a plane leaves. I pulled out the camera, and sure enough the bands blossomed into color, running east to west directly above me, through the Big Dipper.
Here's a picture to the west, with the moon. You can see how narrow the band was at first. It was really cold (especially with no socks and no jacket!) but I scarcely noticed!
To the east, with the Chugach mountains and the Star-On-The-Mountain. The glow from Anchorage and Eagle River can be seen.
Spruce trees. Note the line from the airplane off to the left!
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