Heather Tianen found a place with no clouds in The Dalles, Ore., then witnessed the biggest geomagnetic storm she has seen in her life
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
Heather Tianen saw the forecast for one storm Thursday and was looking to avoid another kind of storm.
She checked weather maps looking for a clear spot from the clouds because she had been reading the Aurora Forecast. That forecast called for a KP-8 solar storm. The range goes from 0-9 on the scale so an 8 is considered a severe storm.
The Northern Lights were going to be visible in the Northwest.
She found the perfect spot in The Dalles, Ore., and captured these photographs of the geomagnetic storm.
“It rained most of the way there, and I wasn’t sure, but when we got there it was incredible. I’ve never seen them dancing over my head before,” Tianen said.
She took her children and a friend on the trip. When they arrived at the old Douglas Hollow Schoolhouse, they said the place looked haunted and they weren’t sure they wanted to get out of the car.
Well, Heather and her Canon 1D X Mark III got out and … magic.
“I was so shocked at seeing them dancing,” she said, describing the motion in the sky. “They were marching overhead. It was crazy. I’ve never seen that before in my life.”
In one image, there is a big white streak, called STEVE. That’s short for Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement, and it is not, technically, part of the Aurora, or Northern Lights. Just as beautiful, though, Tianen said.
To the naked eye, Tianen said the movement above them was grayish. With the high-tech photography, she captured the colors.
In fact, her only regret was not taking even more photos. She was just overwhelmed by the spectacle that she just kept looking without her camera.
“We were looking straight up, above us, and you can see the picket fence moving right overhead,” she said. “It was so cool.”
Also read:
- WA Democrats push for mid-decade redraw of congressional maps
Washington Democrats have introduced a constitutional amendment that would allow congressional redistricting outside the normal post-census cycle, drawing sharp partisan debate. - Oregon Gov. Kotek calls for repeal of transportation funding package she championed
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is urging lawmakers to repeal a transportation funding package she previously supported after a referendum effort halted key tax increases. - Opinion: State CO2 report shows 86% of Washington’s claimed climate benefits are probably fake
Todd Myers argues a state climate report significantly overstates emissions reductions and raises concerns about data accuracy and accountability in Washington’s climate spending. - OnPoint Community Credit Union expands to Ridgefield
OnPoint Community Credit Union announced a new Ridgefield branch opening Jan. 12, expanding its Clark County presence and supporting local nonprofits. - County Council votes to increase sales tax for yet-to-be-finalized plan for affordable housing
Clark County Council approved a sales tax increase intended for housing-related uses despite concerns from one councilor that no final spending plan is in place. - Life and legacy of outdoors reporter Allen Thomas recognized by Clark County Council
Clark County Council issued a proclamation honoring the life and career of longtime outdoors reporter Allen “Woodsy” Thomas, recognizing his decades of journalism in Southwest Washington. - Upcoming presentation on Battle Ground replacement levy
Battle Ground voters can attend a Jan. 14 presentation to learn more about the school district’s replacement levy ahead of the Feb. 10 election.
Spectacular photos, and the story of all the effort to capture this display is inspiring. Thank you to Heather for sharing these images set in the sky by the Maker of heaven and earth.
Thank you for the awesome shots and sharing them. Some really beautiful pictures that some of us have yet to see in person
Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing!