Aurora Sandwick, Shetland

The Wednesday night forecast was looking good for an Aurora and even the weather looked promising. I went out at 9pm just as an Orange alert came through but by the time I go to Sandsayre, only 5mins away it had dropped back

The moon was always going to be a problem, virtually a full moon causing a lot of light pollution and washing out the Aurora. However the camera can pick up the Aurora better than our eyes and green was showing low down just above the clouds

It was also the first time I had taken night photos with the new LED streetlights at Cunningsburgh. In the past two weeks an extra 29 had been replaced , so now over 50% are the brighter, bluer LEDs.

The small boats always make an interesting foreground and these seem to change on a regular basis.

You can tell how bright the moon was with the camera settings, ISO1600 F4 at 10 seconds, so less noise generated.

We shall soon know whether the monstrous Wind Turbines will be erected across the central mainland, the red lights on top of the turbines will block off the Aurora and will be seen as far down as Scalloway.

For the Aurora Hunters on Yell, it will be worse as two wind farms, one in the north and south will also cause excessive light pollution.

Having a dark site is so important and on a small island like Shetland it may prove even more difficult to find one. Even out to sea the Oil rig lights can be seen at many places.

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