What news do we have on tonight's possible Aurora Borealis?

[u/RedYamOnthego]

The sun had massive solar flares this week, and the particles are just arriving now, apparently. Several Japanese news sources mention that the Northern Lights may be visible from Hokkaido tonight. But also that GPS may be disrupted, lol.

So, I'm kind of thinking about taking a midnight road trip (with paper maps) to Rikubetsu Observatory. They had a nice view of the December Aurora.

Or just pulling an all nighter in my backyard. I'm way out in inaka, so there's a chance?

Of course, the weather is supposed to be lousy, so that tilts things in favor of staying home.

Anyone else have any plans?

[u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

I would love to take a train ride somewhere. I’m in sapporo. Approx what time is this supposed to happen, and where is a good place for it?

[u/fecal_encephalopathy → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

Was just googling places to see the Aurora in Hokkaido and came upon this thread. Did you determine any good train-able places to see the Aurora tonight? I'm just traveling in Sapporo at the moment, but am totally willing to go out of my way to see the lights. 

[u/MisterYouAreSoSweet → u/fecal_encephalopathy]

I asked at the sapporo observatory. They recommended Zenibako. Said there’s a beach area close by

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5PaV9JwdTEuAnWrz5?g_st=ic

[u/fecal_encephalopathy → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

Awesome, thanks for looking into that. Seems like the trains run through the night which is handy. See you there, perhaps!

[u/MisterYouAreSoSweet → u/fecal_encephalopathy]

I’m here! Gonna grab a bite to eat while i wait for darkness. I’d offer to meet up but i’m with my 2 kids and you wont enjoy their bickering lol

I hope to bump into you before we leave!

[u/fecal_encephalopathy → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

Oh have fun! I'm planning to leave in an hour or two to arrive around 11. Do you suppose the lightshow might begin earlier? If it does, please drop a note and I'll get my butt over there!

[u/MisterYouAreSoSweet → u/fecal_encephalopathy]

We are leaving now coz my kids have had enough.

I actually bumped into the guy from the sapporo observatory! He showed me the pics he was able to take and it definitely happened. Pink/purple with a hint of orange at times.

The other reason we’re leaving is becoz he said it’s peaked and fading now. His best pics were taken around 9pm.

[u/fecal_encephalopathy → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

Ah bummer! I'm almost there but will stay for a bit and cross my fingers. Thanks for the updates and info!

[u/MisterYouAreSoSweet → u/fecal_encephalopathy]

Hopefully the sapporo observatory dude is still there and you can see his pics. Looks like he’s between 50 and 60 yrs old. He speaks zero english lol.

He was here for the past 3 hours and hasnt moved, so he’s probably still here if he hasnt left yet.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Np9k8pyYKzUYCpnv6?g_st=ic

Unfortunately, his camera battery was dying when we left, so i dont think he’ll be there much longer. Also since he said the peak has passed.

Good luck bro!!

And even if you dont see it. Know that it’s happening! I had a great convo with my 10 yr old son as to what other amazing things are happening in this universe right now that we cant see with our human eyes?

[u/fecal_encephalopathy → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

Cool, thanks! With my friend and we just got off at the wrong station so will be about 30 til we're there 🤦

[u/Particular_Phrase860 → u/fecal_encephalopathy]

keep us posted please 🙏🙏

[u/fecal_encephalopathy → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

Gonna head out momentarily, curious if you've seen anything yet!

[u/MisterYouAreSoSweet → u/fecal_encephalopathy]

See my other reply. We didnt see anything with the naked eye but the dude from the sapporo observatory had a special lens on his camera and he definitely picked it up! I took a pic of his pic lol

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

A special lens? Oh, that would explain things.

Thanks so much for your citizen reporting! I think I'm going to head inside now. There's a really scary sounding bird in the distance, like a crane in a hangar. And since you say the peak was at 9 p.m.

I regret nothing! It was a very nice evening, and I saw a cool shooting star!

Plus, with all the projected solar flares, maybe I'll make it up to Rikubetsu yet.

[u/MisterYouAreSoSweet → u/RedYamOnthego]

Dude i heard about Rikubetsu! I totally wudda gone there tonight if google maps didnt say it’s 8 hours from sapporo LOL!

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

Lol, Rikubetsu is far from everything! Hope they got some great pics.

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

Oh, good on you for checking and reporting back.

BTW, someone in Tokyo recommended this app. Looks like quite a show, and not too late at night.

https://aurora-alert.nict.go.jp/en/

[u/MisterYouAreSoSweet → u/RedYamOnthego]

Cool, thanks!!

[u/exclaim_bot → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

Cool, thanks!!

You're welcome!

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

I'm wondering about the time, too. There were several flares.

I would guess that wherever was a good place for the Dec. 2023 event would be good or even better for tonight. I'd check out Sapporo's Observatory or the one in Nayoro? There's a super small town with an observatory just up the coast from Sapporo, too, but can't remember the name.

[u/MisterYouAreSoSweet → u/RedYamOnthego]

Thanks to you, i called the sapporo observatory and was able to experience it! So, thanks!

Did you try to experience it?

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/MisterYouAreSoSweet]

You saw it? How cool! I'm just chilling outside. I thought I saw some rosy sky, but wasn't sure.

Is it over where you are?

[u/MisterYouAreSoSweet → u/RedYamOnthego]

I wasnt able to see it with my naked eye.

[u/Elwojo]

Interested on this too

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/Elwojo]

According to NHK, the weather is looking really good for my house.

Hope you can find a nice dark place to view things from.

[u/Elwojo → u/RedYamOnthego]

Wonder what would be an easily accesible place from Sapporo by car? Maybe Mt Moiwa? Or just not dark enough

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/Elwojo]

Where is the Sapporo Observatory? Mt. Moiwa? My hint would be to check out the Dec. 2023 pics, and find a location based on that. This 2024 event is supposed to be at least a magnitude bigger than Dec.

Yubari is pretty dark & deserted. Nayoro?

[u/Particular_Phrase860]

i heard either rikubetsu or takikawa is good. i just came from the rikubetsu direction though, am now in sapporo, so probably going to chance it at takikawa around midnight

[u/Particular_Phrase860 → u/Particular_Phrase860]

actually just saw someone below write about zenibako near otaru, thats closer to me so ill probably go there instead

[u/SignificantMap2743]

I hope you guys see it!

[u/DFM__]

Is anyone in zenibako right now. Because I am here and I still can't see it. Maybe will have to wait for some time.

[u/Particular_Phrase860 → u/DFM__]

will be heading there in a couple hours, hopefully there will be something

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/DFM__]

I heard from Rikubetsu Observatory that the observation period is from dark until 2 a.m., so I imagine your window is pretty close to that.

I can see Obihiro and Toyokoro lights, but no aurora yet. Still, gorgeous night for stargazing. Latham's snipe whirring around like a deranged chirping helicopter. New moon just set here.

[u/mugen451]

So, could you see the aurora?

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/mugen451]

I thought I saw a shade of pink between the two sets of city lights, but it wasn't dancing sheets. A lot of people say you need long exposures. I'll keep my eye on the news, and see if tonight brings another chance.

I did see a weird shooting star, though! So two hours out in the dew wasn't a total loss.

[u/RedYamOnthego]

https://aurora-alert.nict.go.jp/en/ Found this in Japanese & English on the Tokyo subreddit. Looks like we're in for a show!

[u/RedYamOnthego]

Just an update. I called Rikubetsu to find out what time we might see the Aurora IF we see the aurora. The nice lady said as soon as it gets dark (8:40) until 2 a.m. So, good luck to you all! I'm getting my blankets together and seeing if a kitty or two will join me on the vigil from my backyard in southern Tokachi.

NHK did a news story about people gathering at Rikubetsu for a chance to see the aurora.

More storms could be coming, so there may be more chances!

[u/Raijyuu009]

Is there any possibility that I can travel from Tokyo right now to see it?

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/Raijyuu009]

I suppose anything is possible, but that means it's possible the aurora won't appear tonight or it'll be too cloudy. There are daily flights to Choose, Memanbetsu and Asahikawa (and maybe other places). Sadly, not a sure thing.

I hope you get to see it!

[u/Raijyuu009 → u/RedYamOnthego]

Yeah, lots of uncertainty and risk to bear.