Last Friday, a strong G5 geomagnetic storm made the aurora borealis visible to all 50 states including Virginia. It’s rare to see the aurora at our latitude, but the strength of this storm gave us a spectacular and vivid display. Fortunately, I was staying at my parents’ farm in the Shenandoah Valley, a place where dark skies prevail away from city light pollution.
At about 10:30 p.m., I checked the skies. There was a soft red glow to the west toward the Alleghany mountains and to the north over Third Hill. It was ever-so-faint, but I thought it might be something so I bundled up, got my camera, tripod, and four-legged photo assistant, and headed out to the backyard. The results of my first two images on the camera’s screen were truly thrilling because the sensor sees much more than the naked eye. Pink streaks dominated the night sky and the horizon glowed green and yellow.
I spent an hour photographing all my favorite spots - under the walnut trees, behind the barn, looking toward West Virginia. I texted Ike a photo and he joined me, serving as my lighting assistant. He spotlighted the barn and trees with a small flashlight so I could focus the camera. Then we waited for multiple 15 and 20-second exposures triggered by the camera’s timer. About 45 minutes into our aurora adventure, both of my assistants began to whine - one high-pitched with a tail wag, the other verbal in agreement - “I know, Belle, I’m tired too.” Naturally, I made them both stand through 10 more exposures before heading inside. A night to remember. -Stacy
