After the excitement of the May 11 and 12 Aurora Australis, which was visible in our region, I decided to track down the founder of two highly informative Facebook pages: Aurora Hunters United and PacMan Space Weather.
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To my delight, I managed to secure an interview with Dazza Fulton. If, like me, you’re eager to learn more about auroras, keep reading.
You’re the founder of the Aurora Hunters United and PacMan Space Weather Facebook pages. What can people expect to learn from the pages?
Aurora Hunters United is specifically designed to support and cater to passionate members of all experience and knowledge levels.
It’s dedicated to providing follow-up and detailed feedback to all, which ultimately leads to a much higher success rate for those who seek to hunt the elusive Aurora Australis from various locations across Australia and New Zealand.
I started PacMan Space Weather to provide even further detailed information to those who wanted to excel in their understanding.
Some people want all the details, and some just want to know ‘when’ the aurora is going to appear. All are welcome to engage, but in my experience, most who experience the aurora once tend immediately to want to know ‘how’ it manifests.
How do you keep up with the pages and what inspires you the most to keep doing it?
Since 2008, I have had a passion for chasing the Aurora Australis, which naturally evolved into wanting to know more about all things space weather-related.
On any active auroral night, my browser can contain over a few dozen resource pages that I monitor simultaneously to provide the best possible understanding for members of all levels.
I am truly blessed to have such a supportive wife, who shares in my passion and allows me to provide the support required across multiple pages.
The admin teams, group experts and members alike display a combined passion, which is why the groups are so cherished by many for their supportive nature.
My personal inspiration used to come from actively capturing the aurora myself, but it has since evolved into aiding and facilitating the success of others.
I am thrilled and inspired most when I have observed someone’s journey, persistence and tenacity manifest into successfully capturing their first display.
Everyone deserves to witness the aurora at least once in their lifetime, and that is what drives me.
What upcoming solar events might enhance the likelihood of seeing the Southern Lights?
Monitoring sunspot development is one of my favourite aspects of studying solar weather. These are dynamic features of the sun that produce solar flares; not all solar flares are eruptive (produce a coronal mass ejection).
The more magnetically complexed these regions become, the more likely they are to produce larger solar flares.
We are currently seeing a significant increase in sunspot development. While that poses a potential threat to many vital industries, assets and services, it does well for the avid aurora chaser.
Based on current solar cycle data, when do you predict we might see the next significant display of the Aurora Australis?
You’ve hit me with the million-dollar question!
It goes without saying that the sun is ramping up activity. I monitor solar weather events and conditions on our sun every day; it is just one of those ever-changing and evolving landscapes.
Currently, we are awaiting the return of the sunspot, which was responsible for the multiple eruptions (or CMEs) hurled towards the Earth, which resulted in the May 11 and 12 displays.
It is currently on the far side of the sun and will return to the Earth-facing side late this month. It is unlikely that it will hold the same temperament, but that’s not to say with any degree of certainty that we won’t see some further activity during the first half of June, if all goes well.
How far in advance can you accurately predict aurora activity?
Accuracy is probably the key word, and the truth is that all predictions are based on probability and potential.
In other words, nothing is ever certain. Still, with some knowledge and prep, we can estimate the arrival times of such events and the likelihood that those events will hold potential some 48 to 80 hours in advance by monitoring events that take place upon our sun.
The idea with our pages is to provide people with the best information in advance to make confident choices upon when and when not to chase. This ultimately leads to a higher probability of success.
How do auroras affect satellite operations and communications?
Most satellites apply passive shielding methods from solar radiation, but a strong geomagnetic storm can, for the most part, limit and permanently damage satellite communication.
It can also disrupt power grids, broadband signals and radio communications.
Can you share any memorable experiences while observing the Aurora Australis?
I’ve been blessed to witness a host of auroral events in my lifetime.
For me, it’s not always about the size of the aurora but more about the personal moments of sharing those experiences with loved ones.
The 2022 Boxing Day evening display was particularly special. I held my captivated two-year-old daughter, Aurora, in my arms as we watched from our backyard vegie patch together for the first time.
So, while the bigger displays are fantastic, there are so many things about the aurora that make the whole experience that much more meaningful.
My son, Hunter, is now two years old, and was fortunate to witness the May 11 and 12 display with my wife, Giselle.
I look forward to taking both the kids and my wife out on our first family aurora adventure in the near future.