Observation and Frequency of the Aurora Australis in New South Wales
Presenter(s): Andrew James
Affiliation(s): Non-Affiliated Independent Amateur Astronomers (NAIAA)
Session details: Posters
Abstract
For many years I have been slowly collecting historical information of past Aurora Australis observations seen from Sydney and NSW, and have uncovered many dozen reports between 1820 and 2015. By collecting these various observations, the combined data gives important clues about the rough expected frequency of the Aurora Australis and its relationship to the 11.3 year long sunspot cycle, whose expectant frequency averages about two or three per decade.
Notably, many have been likely missed because of bad weather, etc., concluding the true number of aurora are higher in number than currently accepted. Due to the rarity of such low-latitude aurorae, most modern amateurs are seemingly quite unaware in how to observe or photograph them. Presented in the poster is how we can obtain relevant activity and space weather information and learn of the likelihood of seeing active aurorae from the observer’s location.
There is also now an important call for all amateurs to report visible aurora for future estimation of low-latitude auroral frequency. Highlighted are the extraordinary series of aurorae occurring in 1859-60, including the dramatic effects of the famous Carrington Event between 1st-2nd September 1859. Others include the bright aurorae (some in series) seen in November 1870, 1872, 1880, 1894, 1909, 1921, 1947, 1982, 1990 and 2002-3. Especially noted are the last three bright auroral events that have happened during March, April and October 2015.
Biography
Andrew has presented many papers to NACAA between 1980 and 2014. In recent times, Andrew has mainly focused on southern double stars and the historical backgrounds and works of various astronomical discoverers in Australia, including the first southern double star catalogues made by James Dunlop and Charles Rümker. Another associated interest is with Henry Chamberlain Russell, and the various observational assistants, who found and measured many new doubles within the Sydney Observatory Double Star Programme between 1870-1900. Further current investigations have recently extended to a new examination of Sir Thomas Brisbane’s Parramatta Star Catalogue created during the 1820s at Sydney, and its important connection to the discovery of double stars and deep-sky objects. General southern historical accounts and information on double stars and some selected double stars also appear on his popular website, Southern Astronomical Delights. Andrew is still active in the local astronomical scene in Sydney, and has in 2013-15 been a consultant to the design revamp of Sydney Observatory’s new East Dome used by the public – especially aimed for access by the disabled and seniors. His astronomical experience also extends to lecturing on the subject to Evening Colleges and has presented many talks over a large range of subjects. He is presently the Planetary Nebulae and Deep-Sky Section Leader with the ASNSW, though at Conference is an independent presenter as part of a new proposed group of “Non-Affiliated Independent Amateur Astronomers” (NAIAA).