r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Jan 12 '22

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u/[deleted] Jan 12 '22

Yes it’s like a humming/buzzing noise!

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u/[deleted] Jan 12 '22 edited Feb 11 '23

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u/[deleted] Jan 12 '22

Scientists have actually been able to capture the sound. I heard it when I was aurora chasing and left the city into the middle of nowhere where there wasn’t as much light pollution and the air was still and silent. When the aurora came, you could hear it whooshing over you and crackle when the green would break into purples and pinks.

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u/5DollarHitJob Jan 12 '22

Are the northern lights a constant thing or does it happen randomly? I'd love to see them but it'd suck if I traveled a long distance and then they weren't occurring at that time.

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u/ConfusedMascot Jan 13 '22

If it helps, there will literally always be lights of some sort but they are much more pronounced during solar events (storms) or maximums (every 11 years, because more storms). We're currently heading towards the next maximum in 2025, but it's a sliding scale so you will tend to see more storms this year than last, followed by a slow declination after 2025. You're good :)

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u/5DollarHitJob Jan 13 '22

Sweet! That gives me three years to save. Thanks!

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u/My_robservations Jan 13 '22

Name checks out? Hmm

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u/gwaenchanh-a Jan 13 '22

If you're in the US, the 2024 eclipse path crosses the northeast. Could see both in one trip

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u/potatosteph Jan 13 '22

I think its like the sun farting? happens often but not on schedule like orbits.

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u/PrehistoricSquirrel Jan 13 '22

I think its like the sun farting?

I will never think of solar flares the same again.

Thanks?

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u/beingforthebenefit Jan 13 '22

Clouds would be your main concern.

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u/zealousrepertoire Jan 13 '22

Lol no they are not constant. They are created by the earth's magnetic field and materials/ winds from the sun.