Shetland Stars and Aurora

Nigfht's in Shetland are always special, having so many dark sites we are able to see many 1,000's of stars and of course the aurora

Stars, so good to see so many in Shetland dark skies

St

This was down at st Ninian's 

                                            A couple of Aurora photos from Sandsayre in Sandwick

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I have also been asked to write articles for the Shetland Times on the night sky, these will appear on the last Friday of the month starting in January 2024

Shetland Levenwick Aurora - day 3

A clearer night so headed down to Levenwick on night 3 - 6 November

 Lots fo nice buildings around the beach area

The tide was coming in fast as i went onto the beach

Lovely red auroea, lots this year as we head to solar maximum

It really was a Red alert for about 10 mins and it was showing very well

I then stayed in the clearer eastside and went up to Sandwick

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Shetland Aurora at Voe and beyond

As it was cloudy down in the south mainland i headed north to Voe

a few gaps in the cloud, above with Jupiter showing

 It did start to clear for a while

Below, Sullom Voe lights showing in the east at Mavis Grind

Lots to photograph at Voe, but you had to work quick as the clear skies disappeared after about 10 mins

Good to get some trees in the photo

Mavis Grind above

Back at Sandlodge below

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An Aurora run

 

On the 4 November a very powerful aurora showed, just a pity about the cloud

It was so strong that the whole sky lit up behind the cloud

It wasn't until i went down to St Ninians that the colour started to show in the gaps. It was an ideal night to be out, mild, still and no moon

St Ninian's isle was beautifully lit by the aurora

The aurora was even viewable to the south, not a normal occurrence.(above)

Moon and Jupiter

The moon and Jupiter came close on the 2 October and with reasonably clear skies i was able to get a few photo

I went down to Scatness broch near Sumburgh runway and with the Moon and Jupiter low down i was able to link them with the landscape

After i went to Sumburgh head using the old Muckle Roe lighthouse to link the two planets to the Shetland landscape