I noticed aurora at just after 18:00 UTC this evening, as the sky was especially clear at the start of the night. A low arc of aurora was extending across the northern sky and was just visible above the mountains. I headed out with the camera, and activity increased steadily with the aurora growing higher in the sky and taking on a stronger and better-defined rayed arc form (Image 1). Unfortunately there was a thick area of cloud blocking much of my view to the north, and consequently only the westernmost end of the aurora arc was visible. Over time, the purple ray tops became more apparent by both naked eye and camera, as the aurora activity strengthened but remained low across the northern sky (Image 2). Although the cloud refused to go away, I could see the aurora arc becoming slightly higher in the sky and also expanding into several bands that were mostly obscured behind the cloud (Images 3 and 4). It was clear that activity was continuing to increase (Images 5 and 6), but unfortunately I lost my battle with the cloud by 18:55 and went home.
Image 1. 18:27 UTC. Settings = f/2.8, ISO3200, 14 mm, 8.5 sec.
Image 2. 18:35 UTC. Settings = f/2.8, ISO3200, 14 mm, 8.8 sec.
Image 3. 18:38 UTC. Settings = f/2.8, ISO3200, 14 mm, 7 sec.
Image 4. 18:42 UTC. Settings = f/2.8, ISO3200, 14 mm, 9.4 sec.
Image 5. 18:46 UTC. Settings = f/2.8, ISO3200, 14 mm, 11 sec.
Image 6. 18:51 UTC. Settings = f/2.8, ISO3200, 14 mm, 11 sec.
