Memories of Aurora
We flew to Iceland in December 2003 in part to see the Aurora Borealis. Out on that specific aurora hunt, we saw it as a white glow at midnight below some clouds—no colours developed in the solid blackness of rural Reykjavik. However, after several uniquely Icelandic experiences, we were lucky to see an excellent Aurora display. It was visible below our aircraft shortly after take-off. Green swirls of gas which were obviously very excited to be impacted by the tickles of the sun. I remember being glued to the window as we powered on and the Aurora receded.
For the past few years, I’ve had several Aurora alert apps on my phone, eagerly anticipating when I would witness this natural wonder. In the past two years, there have been occasions when the Aurora was predicted to be visible from Mayo. However, on any of those evenings, it was either cloudy or happened further north of me. The anticipation and the disappointment only heightened my curiosity, making me wonder if the apps actually worked.
KP over 6
On May 10th, I was getting clear indications that the KP was going over 6. A good time to observe it was at 23:00 local time (22:00 UT). A little after that, I observed a white glow over Killadoon Hill. It certainly wasn’t the rescue chopper; nor was it smoke from a fire. The cone shape got wider and wider and higher and higher. It became streaky. It was the Aurora!! After posting an OMG message on Facebook, I watched in awe.
White Red Pink Green and Blue
Then, a band of red/pink appeared in the bright white glow, quickly followed by a band of green to its right. An oval shape appeared over our house, and energetic streaks poured out of it to the left towards the hill and down towards the Atlantic, Inishbofin, and Inishturk. I could not believe my eyes, Aurora over Killadoon Hill. I did my best to take images, but nothing on the back of my camera or the phone screen looked as good as the unfolding vista.
Sketch the Aurora
After a while, I decided to get a sketch pad. I put some Aurora’s colours in a box and rejoined the show. The changes in colour, depth of colour, and structure of the phenomenon were breathtaking. It wasn’t easy to draw as it morphed over minutes by shape and colour. Red, blue, and even a purple hue were there as things progressed. Hence, my three sketches are really three moments in a night of wonder.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think the Aurora would manifest itself so clearly over Killadoon Co Mayo. I was filled with a mix of awe and disbelief. I wondered if it would fade out as quickly as it arrived, and I hurriedly sketched the scene, fearing it might vanish before I could capture its beauty. The sketches were done fast, in an attempt to freeze the action as it unfolded in those three precious moments.
What a spectacle
A crown of rays formed above our house. In the centre is a patch of the spring night with power-packed gas curves bending out from it in all directions. Over Killadoon Hill, Ursa Major watched as Arcturus shone through the pink, becoming part of the beauty of it all.
To the west the young moon admired the lightshow. The rays must have looked incredible to the Ocean. Procyon stood out over an elongated grey cloud.
Oxygen a different view
After doing the sketches, I looked at the entire manifestation. It looked like a giant bird with wings spread from NE to West, proudly displaying its vitality and astonishing presence. This display was also showing us Oxygen and Nitrogen in our atmosphere, vital to the survival of our planet and all who live here. Its there but we do not see it, we accept that its there. But when we see it screaming beauty at us its also a reminder of our duty of care for our Earth and every living creature onboard with us.
The rays were all around me, faint in the northwest but clearly edged. They were substantial overhead, strong in the northeast and robust directly west. It was an all-encompassing experience. My apps had to be turned off that night so I could get some sleep from the constant notifications.
Three drawings of the Aurora over Killadoon Co Mayo, May 10th 2024
Lastly, I was particularly pleased that earlier on May 10th, I was able to do a drawing of the origin of the Aurora . Active Region 3664 is below.
Active Region 3664 May 10th 2024 – PST 40/8mm eyepiece/50XPan Pastels and Conte a Paris pencils on paper. (14:23 Local Time) 13:23 UT – (15:25 Local Time) 14:25 UT. This active region was very complex and dynamic. At 15:10 local time the central area developed a display of very bright activity. The shapes within the AR were very busy, morphing. Many fine filaments on the disc. A Brontosaurus shaped prominence dominated the limb. Killadoon, Co Mayo Ireland.
