Ken Kennedy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

The Aurora Section encourages the observation of the aurora, the recruitment and training of observers, the collection, analysis and reporting on the occurrences of auroral events. The present observer network comprises members of the BAA or other astronomical societies, individual observers, professional meteorologists and ships' officers at sea. Observations are collected mainly from the British Isles and European countries with a few reports being received from Canada and the United States. The co-ordination of observing in the Southern Hemisphere is carried out by the Royal New Zealand Astronomical Society Aurora Section.

Our Section investigates the behaviour of the mid latitude storm aurora as the polar auroral oval expands during active conditions.  The original reports as received from observers are placed in the archives of Aberdeen University, Scotland, and the details thereof are the subject of occasional newsletters, reports and technical papers published in the BAA Journal.

The Section also observes the noctilucent clouds (NLC) that are visible in the period late May until early August in the northern hemisphere. The clouds appear at a height of about 82 kilometres and are visible when the Sun is between 6 and 16 degrees below the horizon. The techniques used to observe the clouds are similar to those used for the aurora, hence Section members are well placed to make observations for the assistance of upper atmosphere scientists.  Noctilucent cloud frequency varies with the solar cycle but, unlike auroral activity, most NLC occur at solar minimum.  Even taking account of the solar cycle, the frequency of NLC has been increasing since at least the 1960s and data collected from observations may help to explain this.

Anyone who contributes to the work of the Section is considered to be a member.  Newsletters are issued by e-mail at intervals depending on the activity of the aurora or NLC.