----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2001 5:33
PM
Subject: The Northern Lights
Hello All:
Last night, at about 11:30, I was in bed and
glanced out the window and saw a very strange orange glow in the northeastern
sky. I thought the mountains north of Tucson were on fire. I got up and
went outside and saw one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.
I knew right away what I was looking at. It was the Northern
Lights!!!! My whole life I have wanted to see this wonderful spectacle
of nature. The sky was painted a salmon color from the horizon up to
about 60 degrees altitude and streched from the northeast to the northwest.
There were green rays of light shootings up from the horizon. The event
lasted about an hour and was constantly changing.
I've heard that it is extremely rare to
see the Aurora Borealis this far south. Yesterday, afternoon, it
was reported on TV that an abnormally large solar flare has been spotted
on the sun. I'm not sure, but I think that these flares may last
several days. If we could see the Northern Lights this far south, surely
those of you living farther north would have been able to see them even
better. So all of you, weather permitting, should go out tonight to see
a possible repeat performance. (You might even want to look at the sun
today, using safe methods, to see if you can see the flare and
associated sunspots).
Please let the List know if any of you saw
the lights last night, or if you see them tonight.
Thought you'd be interested!
John Carmichael
925 E. Foothills Dr.
Tucson Arizona 85718
Tel: 520-696-1709
