Here is the cleaned-up transcript:

[cite_start]Welcome to the Starcast for the week of November 16th, 2025. I'm your host, Jay Shaffer, and with me is my co-host, Mike Lewinski[cite: 281].
Good morning, Jay. [cite_start]How you doing? [cite: 282]
Good morning, Mike. [cite_start]Great[cite: 282]. [cite_start]We had a spectacular geomagnetic storm last week that not only lit up the night sky, but it also lit up social media[cite: 283]. [cite_start]Beta test in pictures as well of the Northern Lights, as well as[cite: 284]. [cite_start]Lots of novice questions and some questionable information out there[cite: 285]. [cite_start]So Mike and I had discussed that in a little bit more depth in our topic today[cite: 286]. And so, let's get Mike's space weather forecast for the next few days. [cite_start]Mike? [cite: 287]
Yes, Jay. [cite_start]So, we have been receiving solar flares from sunspot 4274[cite: 288]. [cite_start]For the last week, and that's what produced the fantastic display[cite: 288]. [cite_start]That sunspot has now turned away[cite: 289]. [cite_start]And is on the far side of the sun, so we are no longer in the strike zone[cite: 289]. [cite_start]And the most recent flare and CME that it released [cite: 290][cite_start]. did miss the earth, so… We are pretty much at the end of this round of solar flares from that[cite: 291]. [cite_start]Very, very active sunspot[cite: 292]. [cite_start]Unless it continues to be active when it comes around again, but we've got a bit of a reprieve here, and our chance for solar activity has diminished accordingly[cite: 292]. [cite_start]Here in mid-latitudes, we have 35-40% chance of active conditions over the next 48 hours [cite: 293][cite_start]. diminishing down to only a 5% chance of a very severe condition[cite: 294]. [cite_start]Up at higher latitudes, however, there's still some solar wind, and[cite: 295]. chance of severe storm between 55%. [cite_start]For the next 24 hours and 65% for the next 24 to 48 hours, so[cite: 296]. [cite_start]If you are at a higher latitude, you may have a better chance of seeing the northern lights[cite: 296].
[cite_start]So, we do want to return to this topic, and talk more about the geomagnetic storms and what we captured[cite: 297]. [cite_start]And discuss them in a little bit more depth[cite: 298]. [cite_start]But for now, I want to see what's what else is going on in the night sky this week, Jay? [cite: 299]
[cite_start]Well, tonight, we turn our attention to one of the most famous annual celestial events, the Leonid meteor shower[cite: 300]. [cite_start]This spectacular display, which runs from November 3rd through December 2nd [cite: 301][cite_start]. is set to offer viewing opportunities in the dark hours between late tonight[cite: 302]. [cite_start]November 16th, and on tomorrow[cite: 303]. [cite_start]November 17th[cite: 303]. [cite_start]The predicted peak of the shower is actually at[cite: 304]. [cite_start]1,800 hours universal time, tomorrow, UTC time tomorrow[cite: 305]. [cite_start]If I do some quick off my head math here, let's see[cite: 306]. [cite_start]A minus 7 off that, so that should be about 11, 100 hours, so[cite: 307]. [cite_start]11 tomorrow was when it peaks, of course, that'd actually be during the daylight here in Mountain[cite: 308]. standard time. [cite_start]But before and after this time, it will offer the best terrestrial viewing[cite: 309]. [cite_start]The lineage radiant, the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to stream [cite: 310][cite_start]. rises around midnight and is the highest in the sky just before dawn [cite: 311][cite_start]. making the pre-dawn hours the ideal window for catching shooting stars[cite: 312].
[cite_start]So, stargazers are in luck this year, as the new moon falls on November 20th, so that'd be next Wednesday or Thursday[cite: 313]. [cite_start]Meaning that the slender waning[cite: 314]. [cite_start]Crescent moon will pose no significant light pollution[cite: 314]. [cite_start]Allowing for truly dark sky viewing[cite: 315]. [cite_start]Under these ideal conditions, you can expect to see a rate of about 10 to 15 Leonid meteors per hour[cite: 315, 316]. [cite_start]While the Leonids are reliably active[cite: 316]. [cite_start]Every November, they are best known for periodically producing breathtaking meteor storms[cite: 317]. [cite_start]Most famously doing so in 1966, when observers reported thousands of meteors per minute[cite: 318]. [cite_start]These extraordinary outbursts are tied to the meteor's 33 to 34 year cycle[cite: 319]. [cite_start]Although recent returns around the turn of the millennium didn't quite live up to the legendary[cite: 320]. [cite_start]1966 event[cite: 321]. [cite_start]The Leonid has remained a must-see for dedicated stargazers[cite: 321]. [cite_start]Even when the lion whimpers rather than wars[cite: 322]. [cite_start]Roars, the experience of watching the Earth pass through this ancient stream of cosmic dust is a powerful reminder that our journey through space [cite: 323][cite_start]. of our journey through space[cite: 324]. [cite_start]Bundle up, find a spot away from the city lights, and look up and catch the sight of[cite: 324]. And look up to catch the. [cite_start]And look up to catch a sight of these fleeting streaks of light[cite: 325].
[cite_start]And in space news, last week on Thursday[cite: 326]. Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully launched. [cite_start]The Escapade mission toward Mars[cite: 327]. [cite_start]This was after a weather delay on November 9th, and a space weather delay [cite: 328][cite_start]. on November 12th[cite: 329]. [cite_start]The mission left from the Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force [cite: 329][cite_start]. station in Florida[cite: 330]. [cite_start]Escapades stands for Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers[cite: 330]. [cite_start]And the mission will use twin spacecraft[cite: 331]. [cite_start]Nicknamed Blue and Gold [cite: 331][cite_start]. to study Mars' magnetic environment[cite: 331]. [cite_start]This was just the second launch for the New Glenn Heavy Launch Vehicle after its initial launch back in January of 2025[cite: 332]. [cite_start]I watched the launch on the Blue Origin news YouTube feed[cite: 332]. [cite_start]And it was wild to watch as the reusable New Glenn booster [cite: 333][cite_start]. returned and safely landed on the platform [cite: 334][cite_start]. back on Earth[cite: 334].
[cite_start]So, that leads us to our discussion of last week's geomagnetic storm[cite: 335]. [cite_start]So, what did you capture there, Mike? [cite: 336]
[cite_start]Yeah, maybe if I could just for one second, Jay, I want to back up to the Leonid displays that come out every 33 years, and I just want to [cite: 336][cite_start]. mention that[cite: 337]. [cite_start]Just how truly amazing this[cite: 337]. [cite_start]This would be, when it hits that [cite: 338][cite_start]. what they call not just a meteor shower, but a meteor storm[cite: 338]. [cite_start]And 1833, I think, was the year that [cite: 339][cite_start]. was the most dramatic [cite: 339][cite_start]. people there were accounts of people who were drinking and [cite: 340][cite_start]. and playing cards, and somebody went outside to go to the bathroom and looked up and believed that they were witnessing the end times[cite: 341]. [cite_start]And the card game ended, they stopped their drinking, and they ran to church because they truly believed[cite: 342]. [cite_start]The world must be ending[cite: 343]. [cite_start]And that was not unique to just those [cite: 343][cite_start]. one group of card players, that was an experience that a lot of people had, and I did read one account that said that [cite: 344][cite_start]. between 5.45 and 6 AM estimates of 8,000 meteors streaking across the sky in just[cite: 345]. [cite_start]15 minutes during that meteor storm[cite: 346]. [cite_start]So, it is my hope that in my life, I'm going to get to view a true meteor storm[cite: 346]. [cite_start]That is not necessarily an apocalyptic end times event[cite: 347].
[cite_start]Yeah[cite: 347].
[cite_start]So, But to jump over to meteors, and I do believe, or to Aurora, I do believe that I've been spotting some Leonids over the last week or so, and I got a really nice shot of a[cite: 348]. [cite_start]Leonid, or a meteor at least, right during the aurora display on[cite: 348]. [cite_start]Tuesday, I saw somebody call it the Armistice Day storm[cite: 349]. [cite_start]And I like that title for it[cite: 350]. [cite_start]I got a text message, at around 6.15 or so Tuesday evening, alerting me that, from some one of your neighbors down in Tres Piedras[cite: 350]. [cite_start]That it was visible to the naked eye, and the sun had just set[cite: 351]. [cite_start]So it was, still we were still in that twilight period[cite: 352, 353]. [cite_start]And, I was with some friends for a game night[cite: 353]. [cite_start]We suspended our game night, ran out onto the deck, and watched the display unfold[cite: 354]. [cite_start]In the north and northeast[cite: 355]. [cite_start]And the first thing that I want to say about this is that[cite: 355]. [cite_start]I've seen with my eyes, I've seen Aurora about a half dozen times, including when I lived in Maine[cite: 356]. [cite_start]And this was the first display where the color was distinctly visible to me[cite: 357]. [cite_start]The sky in the north was[cite: 358]. [cite_start]Quite red, I would say even, it had a bit of an apocalyptic feel about it, and we all agreed, as we watched this [cite: 358][cite_start]. that it was and it continued to [cite: 359][cite_start]. shift around, but it remained red[cite: 359]. For a couple hours. [cite_start]And then at points, we started to see a band of green, greenish-yellow on the horizon[cite: 360]. [cite_start]Now, the[cite: 361]. [cite_start]The greenish-yellow was the color was quite a bit fainter, but it was still sort of[cite: 361]. [cite_start]Yeah, I think that's green [cite: 362][cite_start]. it wasn't quite white[cite: 362]. [cite_start]And so, it was, it was extraordinarily exciting to me to see [cite: 363][cite_start]. not just the pillars of light that I've seen in previous displays, but actual color[cite: 364]. [cite_start]Red, red, orange, and then and then the greenish-yellow band[cite: 365]. [cite_start]That was lower[cite: 366].
[cite_start]And, we'll include links to our respective time lapses, I think, in this episode's show notes, because [cite: 366][cite_start]. it was just I knew, when I left my house Tuesday night, I knew there was a good chance[cite: 367]. [cite_start]And so I set my time-lapse cameras up before I left[cite: 368]. Because I didn't want to miss anything. [cite_start]And in setting them up[cite: 369]. [cite_start]I also knew that I could not predict[cite: 370]. [cite_start]What exposure values would really work well? [cite: 370] [cite_start]Normally I want to go for[cite: 371]. [cite_start]With a moonless Night, a high ISO, and [cite: 371][cite_start]. for me, it's usually a standard 10-second exposure, and I knew that my ISO might be too [cite: 371][cite_start]. high, and that it would be actually kind of blown out, and in fact it was[cite: 372]. [cite_start]And, my group of gaming friends decided to come back to my house, where I had a better view [cite: 373][cite_start]. of the horizon[cite: 374]. [cite_start]And, the first thing I did was run out and turn the ISO down on my time lapse, because it was just[cite: 374]. It was just blown out. [cite_start]The last thing I'll say before I kick it back to you, Jay, is[cite: 375]. [cite_start]I had my second camera pointed due south[cite: 376]. [cite_start]I thought, well, wide-angle lens pointed north, I'll get I'll get the Aurora display[cite: 377]. [cite_start]And let's just see if something interesting happens in a different direction[cite: 378]. [cite_start]As I so often do, I have to just pick semi-randomly where I'm going to point[cite: 379]. [cite_start]And, the thing that was really notable to me is that[cite: 380]. [cite_start]The foreground and the clouds to the south [cite: 381][cite_start]. were illuminated red by the aurora display, so that color was so bright[cite: 382]. [cite_start]That it actually cast a red tint across the chamisa and grasses in the field[cite: 383]. to the south. So how about you, Jay? [cite_start]What was your experience? [cite: 384]
[cite_start]Yeah, it was very similar to yours, is that I'd already set up my time-lapse camera in anticipation for the Aurora, and I thought there was a fairly good chance of it[cite: 385]. [cite_start]But, again, I had set it up and actually didn't hit record because, it went into [cite: 386][cite_start]. eat dinner because it was still twilight, and[cite: 387]. [cite_start]And didn't expect it to appear quite so early, and so[cite: 388]. [cite_start]And again, there was somebody on my social media that popped up and said, I'm seeing, I'm seeing it[cite: 389]. [cite_start]And so I ran outside and hit record immediately, and and, as soon as it came up in the viewfinder, it was, terrifically bright[cite: 390]. [cite_start]And then I was seeing it with my naked eye as well[cite: 391]. [cite_start]And so I, started it, the time-lapse recording and then [cite: 392][cite_start]. ran it in the house and grabbed my wife Annie and[cite: 393]. [cite_start]We both ran out with our phones[cite: 394]. [cite_start]And even without, getting on a tripod and just using our [cite: 394][cite_start]. old ancient iPhone 11 Pros [cite: 395][cite_start]. in night mode[cite: 395]. [cite_start]We were able to capture some pretty spectacular, still photos, and so I was just running around like a mad person with my phone, looking for [cite: 396][cite_start]. great vantage points and[cite: 397]. [cite_start]And, taking photos with the phone and, and then the [cite: 397][cite_start]. the first green appeared, and, I posted on social media, we've got green! [cite: 398] [cite_start]Because, that, that, that's highly unusual down here in northern New Mexico that[cite: 399]. [cite_start]We get any other color than the red[cite: 400]. [cite_start]And so[cite: 400]. [cite_start]And actually, so there was people were reporting that they were, we, we both live off-grid, and so [cite: 401][cite_start]. there was people that were reporting that they were actually getting, voltage on their solar panels from [cite: 402][cite_start]. from the aurora, and so there was[cite: 403]. [cite_start]And so I've got some bifacial panels[cite: 403]. [cite_start]And it, I may be kind of deceiving myself, but I swear I was getting, an extra[cite: 404]. [cite_start]50, or, 50 or[cite: 405, 406]. [cite_start]So, Watts off of my panels just from the [cite: 406][cite_start]. from the Aurora[cite: 406].
[cite_start]So, and then also, I have to say that [cite: 407][cite_start]. and of course[cite: 408]. [cite_start]The forecast was that, There would be even more spectacular on Wednesday, and so everybody [cite: 408][cite_start]. that missed it on Tuesday, of course, was, saddling up, to [cite: 409][cite_start]. to try to catch it on Wednesday, and of course, Wednesday [cite: 410][cite_start]. wasn't quite as spectacular[cite: 410]. [cite_start]As Tuesday, but it still was, a fairly rewarding[cite: 411]. [cite_start]Night to see the aurora and[cite: 411]. [cite_start]And on Wednesday is when I captured a great meteor [cite: 412][cite_start]. with the Aurora, and it was a meteor[cite: 413]. [cite_start]Again, camera was facing north, so it was to my north, and it had a persistent ion trail, and so that was also in that time lapse[cite: 414]. [cite_start]And my Tuesday time lapse, I actually submitted to[cite: 415]. [cite_start]Our local Albuquerque news station, KRQE[cite: 416]. [cite_start]And they were, quite impressed with the time lapse, and they aired it on their noon newscast, and of course they[cite: 416]. [cite_start]They actually didn't have time to run it on their, their 530, their usual[cite: 417]. [cite_start]5.30 main newscast[cite: 418]. PM. [cite_start]But that was nice to kind of see my time lapse up on their KRQD, QE [cite: 418][cite_start]. website, and to see it on air as well, on the news[cite: 419].
[cite_start]And so let's talk about, there are a lot of, there were, my social media [cite: 420][cite_start]. basically lit up with, 100% of all these iPhone photos of the Aurora[cite: 421]. [cite_start]And so there were a lot of novices out there, and they were saying[cite: 422]. [cite_start]Why can't I see this with my naked eye, and I see it so well[cite: 423]. [cite_start]In my iPhone [cite: 424][cite_start]. so could you answer that question, Mike? [cite: 424]
[cite_start]Jay, I think most of the folks who were unable to see it with their naked eye were in areas of greater light pollution[cite: 425]. [cite_start]There was no question that, even here in southern Colorado, it was, it was very visible, but we live in, a Bortle 2 zone[cite: 426]. [cite_start]And, as, and you're down there in Bortle 1, 2, as well[cite: 427]. [cite_start]And so, I, corresponded with several people in, the[cite: 428]. [cite_start]Denver metro area, who are north of us, and who should have, by all rights, had[cite: 429]. [cite_start]An equally good view[cite: 430]. [cite_start]They could capture it with their cameras, but not [cite: 430][cite_start]. really see it, and I and I chalk that up 100% [cite: 431][cite_start]. to the light pollution of the cities[cite: 432]. [cite_start]Or, let's say 80% of the light pollution of the cities and[cite: 433]. [cite_start]20% will say that not everybody's vision is acute [cite: 434][cite_start]. so, it, really does pay to be an exceptionally dark area for these displays[cite: 435]. [cite_start]And it's worth, heading out[cite: 436]. [cite_start]One of my friends who does live in a fairly rural area, I texted him and I said[cite: 436]. [cite_start]It's over in Kiowa, on the other side of the Rockies, and I said, hey [cite: 437][cite_start]. the Northern lights are naked eye visible[cite: 438]. [cite_start]He looked down and he said, oh, it's cloudy[cite: 439]. [cite_start]No, then he texted me back an hour later, he said, yeah, I took my daughter out[cite: 440]. We drove out, we got out from under the clouds, and we saw it, and it was magnificent. [cite_start]Thank you[cite: 441]. [cite_start]So, A display like that, it would have been worthwhile on Sunday night, or, I'm sorry, on Tuesday night at sunset[cite: 442]. [cite_start]To have, left the city and driven out onto the plains, or driven up into the mountains [cite: 443][cite_start]. even half an hour, get just far enough away from [cite: 444][cite_start]. the really bright city lights, and then you're gonna start to see it[cite: 445].
[cite_start]Yeah, and so yeah, and I wanted to speak a little bit about, how our [cite: 446][cite_start]. vision works, as opposed to how a camera's vision works as well, is[cite: 447]. [cite_start]Yes[cite: 448]. [cite_start]So, our eyes, we have rods and cones[cite: 448]. [cite_start]And then, a camera has a sensor, with what we call photo sites[cite: 449]. [cite_start]And so[cite: 450]. [cite_start]And it's eluding me right at the moment, but which is it, rods or cones that is most sensitive to monochromatic low light? [cite: 450]
[cite_start]Rods[cite: 451].
[cite_start]Okay, so so, our rods are more sensitive to low light[cite: 451]. [cite_start]And they are basically monochromatic, and so a lot of people, when they go out to look at the night sky, whether it be for the Milky Way or for[cite: 452]. [cite_start]Aurora is that they're not really seeing a lot of the colors that they would see [cite: 453][cite_start]. with a camera, and that's just simply because [cite: 454][cite_start]. the cones are not actually getting excited[cite: 454]. [cite_start]There's not enough photons to excite the cones[cite: 455]. and discernment, discern color. [cite_start]Whereas a camera sensor[cite: 455, 456]. [cite_start]Whether it be an iPhone or a more sophisticated camera like your Sony [cite: 456, 457][cite_start]. is they actually have to put glass filter on those sensors [cite: 457, 458][cite_start]. to make them see [cite: 458][cite_start]. in the spectrum of our visible light[cite: 459]. [cite_start]Camera sensors are engineered in such a way [cite: 459][cite_start]. that they actually capture [cite: 460][cite_start]. more of the electromagnetic spectrum [cite: 460][cite_start]. then our eye does[cite: 461]. [cite_start]And they actually have a [cite: 461][cite_start]. infrared filter that cuts down the infrared light[cite: 461]. [cite_start]For those camera sensors[cite: 461].
[cite_start]But that being said[cite: 462]. [cite_start]They still they're color agnostic as far as whether they don't have rods and cones[cite: 462]. [cite_start]They have photo sites that are mapped to be [cite: 463, 464][cite_start]. capture either red, green, or[cite: 464]. [cite_start]Or, blue color[cite: 464]. [cite_start]And in a camera sensor, they're more sensitive to green because there's more photons in that part of the electromagnetic spectrum[cite: 465]. [cite_start]But there are also very, sensitive to red as well, and so that's why on the camera when we aim at the Aurora, which has a lot of red content into it[cite: 466]. [cite_start]Which is also the lowest energy, it's infrared[cite: 467]. [cite_start]Our eyes don't capture reds very well[cite: 467]. [cite_start]And cameras, on the other hand, actually have filters on them to cut down on the amount of red that they see[cite: 468]. [cite_start]So that's one reason there, Mike, and so[cite: 469].
[cite_start]I don't know if that was a little bit too much in-depth[cite: 470]. [cite_start]And anything else that you'd like to say about, comparing the human eye experience with the camera experience? [cite: 470]
[cite_start]No, I think that was a pretty good point to make, Jay [cite: 471][cite_start]. just that we have 3 different types of cone cells [cite: 472][cite_start]. in our eyes that are tuned to short wavelength blue[cite: 473]. [cite_start]Medium wavelength green, and I believe that those are the ones we have [cite: 474][cite_start]. the most of, and then long wavelength, which is red [cite: 475][cite_start]. and, so[cite: 476]. [cite_start]And some there are some people with the mutation, primarily in females [cite: 476][cite_start]. that have 4 cone subtypes, and they have a condition called tetrachromacy[cite: 477]. [cite_start]That gives them a much wider range of [cite: 478][cite_start]. color vision and, it's sort of a running joke sometimes that[cite: 479]. [cite_start]The men don't perceive that variations in colors that women do[cite: 480]. [cite_start]And there's an actual biological reason for that, and also a reason why men tend to be more colorblind[cite: 481]. [cite_start]Being that some of these genes are, in fact, on the X chromosome[cite: 482]. [cite_start]And because women have two X chromosomes, they have a better chance of surviving a defect in that gene, whereas if men have a defect in that gene [cite: 483][cite_start]. they only have one copy of it, so that's why we tend to be more colorblind than women[cite: 484].
[cite_start]There is another aspect to this that I'd like to discuss, though, Jay[cite: 485]. [cite_start]If it's alright with you, and I'm just gonna kind of wing this here for a minute[cite: 486]. [cite_start]I had an odd experience as I was looking [cite: 487][cite_start]. at the Aurora display on Tuesday night, and I started to experience a visual distortion[cite: 487]. [cite_start]That I could I could identify very clearly as[cite: 488]. [cite_start]An ocular migraine, and it [cite: 488][cite_start]. in the center of my vision, I start to see this [cite: 489][cite_start]. distorted, wavy [cite: 489][cite_start]. pattern[cite: 490]. [cite_start]And I knew that I wasn't seeing an actual thing in the sky, because when I turned my eyes to my cell phone and looked at my cell phone display [cite: 490][cite_start]. the disturbance persisted, so it was there when I was looking at the aurora, it was there when I was looking at my cell phone[cite: 491]. [cite_start]And I didn't think much of it, but it was a prelude to a headache that lasted for about 3 days[cite: 492]. [cite_start]I actually took Thursday and Friday off work[cite: 493]. [cite_start]It was bad enough[cite: 493].
[cite_start]And, this reminded me that[cite: 494]. [cite_start]There is, a Somewhat explored link between some autoimmune diseases[cite: 494]. [cite_start]And geomagnetic activity, and[cite: 495]. [cite_start]We'll include a couple links to this in our show notes today, but rheumatoid arthritis[cite: 495]. [cite_start]And, Multiple sclerosis, giant cell arteritis, all linked to solar cycles and [cite: 496][cite_start]. solar storms[cite: 496]. [cite_start]Multiple sclerosis is interesting in that[cite: 497]. [cite_start]They've observed that there is a higher incidence at [cite: 497][cite_start]. in the populations that live at higher geomagnetic latitudes[cite: 498]. [cite_start]And, the first thought is, oh, high latitude, you're not getting enough vitamin D, maybe this is a vitamin D deficiency[cite: 499]. [cite_start]But the incidence rates are actually correlated with geomagnetic latitude, which varies[cite: 500]. [cite_start]The strength of that field is not equal [cite: 501][cite_start]. by latitude lines[cite: 501]. [cite_start]And, They're places with stronger geomagnetic fields seem to have higher incidences [cite: 502][cite_start]. of multiple sclerosis[cite: 502].
[cite_start]So, there's not a definitive correlation here, and I will just say that I don't think that my headache was necessarily [cite: 503][cite_start]. caused by, the storm itself[cite: 504]. [cite_start]Except, incidentally, I think I was I was so excited, and I was straining my eyes so intently that I think I just I just really I was I was [cite: 504][cite_start]. have my eyes wide open, and my neck craned up[cite: 505]. [cite_start]For a couple hours, and I think that I just overdid it, and, the headache was mostly [cite: 506][cite_start]. tension headache, and that I probably pinched some muscles in my neck, so[cite: 506]. [cite_start]I don't want to leave anyone with the impression that I'm blaming the solar storm directly for my symptoms, but I think indirectly my excitement over it [cite: 507][cite_start]. led me to injure myself slightly[cite: 508].
[cite_start]Yeah, yeah, if I get the migraine aura, it's usually in a high contrast lighting situation, and I'm fortunate enough that I only get[cite: 508]. [cite_start]Or, I don't really have a headache, but I do occasionally [cite: 509][cite_start]. have that migraine aura appear[cite: 510]. [cite_start]And I didn't I don't think I had it one last week, so[cite: 510].
[cite_start]Yeah, well, it occurred to me I was I was looking up, straining, watching, and then I was looking back down at my phone to [cite: 511][cite_start]. notify more of my friends, hey, you need to go outside and look at this, and so I was [cite: 511][cite_start]. looking at a fairly bright cell phone screen, and then up at the dim sky, and so my eyes were just continually readjusting[cite: 512]. [cite_start]To those conditions[cite: 513]. [cite_start]And I think that it was the combination of things that triggered my experience, but I'm going to ask a few friends with autoimmune conditions[cite: 513]. [cite_start]Whether they noticed any recent flare-ups out of this[cite: 514].
[cite_start]Yeah, and so[cite: 514]. [cite_start]And another thing that we kind of talk about a little bit, well, I think we've talked about it a little bit in the past, that [cite: 514][cite_start]. that we actually during geomagnetic storms, that we actually experience less cosmic rays[cite: 515]. [cite_start]Hitting the earth or we can detect less cosmic rays[cite: 516]. [cite_start]Because, when we're getting this ejecta material from the CMEs [cite: 517][cite_start]. hitting our atmosphere [cite: 518][cite_start]. that excitation is actually helping shield us from cosmic rays[cite: 518]. [cite_start]From other stars out in the universe, and so we're getting all the radiation from our own sun [cite: 519, 520][cite_start]. which is actually kind of acting as a A shield front to repel cosmic rays coming from [cite: 520][cite_start]. out of the solar system[cite: 521].
That's right. [cite_start]Actually, a paradoxical protective effect from a CME[cite: 522].
[cite_start]And so, are we actually experiencing more radiation to our bodies when during a geomagnetic storm? [cite: 522]
[cite_start]I don't believe that's the case, but I would need to double check on that and get back to you [cite: 523][cite_start]. most of what we are seeing, the radiation is going to come during the initial X-ray burst, right? [cite: 524] [cite_start]And that's going to come 8 minutes after the [cite: 525][cite_start]. after the the flare erupts[cite: 526]. [cite_start]The CME is going to come a lot later, so [cite: 526][cite_start]. the difference between the speed of light delivering the radiation to us, and the CME, which is [cite: 527][cite_start]. traveling much slower, because it is matter and not[cite: 527]. [cite_start]Just pure energy[cite: 528].
[cite_start]Yeah, and I think[cite: 528]. [cite_start]There probably is some elevated levels because you would think, when some of the studies I've read about Mars' atmosphere, and the fact that Mars doesn't have a significant magnetic field [cite: 529][cite_start]. has led to its having less protection [cite: 529][cite_start]. from CME radiation and from X-ray radiation from [cite: 530][cite_start]. from[cite: 530]. what do you call it? [cite_start]X-class flares[cite: 530, 531]. [cite_start]So that's an interesting issue and, and of course there's always, there's the reports of [cite: 531, 532][cite_start]. that astronauts have experienced where they actually kind of see cosmic rays [cite: 532][cite_start]. hit their eyes when that they experienced these sparkling [cite: 533][cite_start]. effects and, from when Cosmic ray actually passes through their, their eye[cite: 534].
[cite_start]Yeah, I occasionally get that on my camera sensor, too[cite: 535].
[cite_start]Yeah, that's that's just one of those, rare things that, that, that we could experience when we put out these time lapses[cite: 536]. [cite_start]One of the things, not only do we, when I initially started doing time lapses, and And viewing the night sky and photographing the night sky[cite: 537]. [cite_start]It was like, I just want to catch the Milky Way, [cite: 538] [cite_start]I've seen all these spectacular pictures of the Milky Way, and I want to just capture the Milky Way[cite: 539]. [cite_start]And, oh, by the way, I might be able to capture a meteor or two, [cite: 540] [cite_start]And, I thought, well, the Northern Lights, that's for people that are in Alaska or Sweden[cite: 541]. [cite_start]And so, this has been a very rewarding experience in that, not only have I been able to see the Milky Way and the colors of it, and[cite: 542]. [cite_start]And experienced meteors in ways that I hadn't anticipated, and I credit you, Mike, for educating me [cite: 542][cite_start]. quite a bit on a lot of these night sky phenomena is, I had never seen a persistent ion trail from a meteor [cite: 543][cite_start]. before, you captured one and showed it to me, and then a[cite: 544]. [cite_start]Of course, then I was able to keep an eye out for them and see those in my photography[cite: 545]. [cite_start]And then, and then we talked about Aurora[cite: 546]. [cite_start]The first time I captured an Aurora in the night sky, and I thought that was fantastic[cite: 547]. [cite_start]And then there were some other [cite: 548][cite_start]. phenomena that, that, again, Mike, you introduced me to, is that I had no idea about gravity waves, and I had no idea about[cite: 548]. [cite_start]Steve's, and Some of these other atmospheric [cite: 549][cite_start]. phenomena that we experience, and most of these are due to ionic radiation in the night sky[cite: 549]. [cite_start]And so, I want to thank you for that, Mike, and and I wonder if you could Tell us, some of the things that, that you're seeing[cite: 550]. [cite_start]With your time lapses[cite: 551].
[cite_start]Okay, so[cite: 551].
[cite_start]Well, unfortunately, we're a minute and a half away from the meeting ending, so[cite: 551]. [cite_start]I think we should probably do our outro, and[cite: 551]. [cite_start]Yes[cite: 552]. Wrap this up. Okay. [cite_start]Alright then, here we go[cite: 552]. [cite_start]We want to thank all of our listeners for checking out this podcast[cite: 553]. [cite_start]Please be sure to comment, like, and subscribe, and let us know what you'd like to hear more about[cite: 554]. [cite_start]You can also check out our individual websites, which will have time lapses on them [cite: 555][cite_start]. at WildernessVagabonds.com and at skylapser.com, and of course, on my[cite: 556]. [cite_start]Skylaps or YouTube a channel in the Wilderness Vagabonds YouTube channel[cite: 557]. [cite_start]And if you'd like to help us out, you can buy us a coffee at buymeacoffee.com slash skylapser[cite: 558]. [cite_start]The intro music is fanfare for space [cite: 559][cite_start]. by Kevin McLeod from the YouTube Audio Library[cite: 559]. [cite_start]From the deep Sage Nine Observatory, this is Jay Schaefer, and[cite: 560]. [cite_start]Mike Lewinski Wishing you all clear skies and bright aurora[cite: 560].