Admit your ignorance - things you've only just realised/learned

[Dogtrousers]

The Northern Lights look better on a phone than in real life.

I've seen the aurora many times in Finland. Ranging from the humdrum "is that a cloud?" to the breathtakingly spectacular. To my mind the most important thing about them is movement. You just don't get that with a photo.

 

[matticus]

I've seen the aurora many times in Finland. Ranging from the humdrum "is that a cloud?" to the breathtakingly spectacular. To my mind the most important thing about them is movement. You just don't get that with a photo.

That's good to hear (for those of use that missed out on this week's show!).

If I HAD a bucket list - they are a terrible idea IMO - then seeing the Aurorae "properly" somewhere faaaaaaaar north (preferably Svaaaalbaaard with a polar bear!) would be on it.

 

[matticus]

Difficult to see in England due to light pollution

I believe this week's were an aberration in that respect, with the necessary conditions extending further south than is typical. I know (reliable!) people in quite urban parts of Oxon that saw them with the naked eye, albeit only as blurs or faint stripes in the sky. Mobile phones did seem to consistently produce stunning images in the same locations.

 

[figbat]

I believe this week's were an aberration in that respect, with the necessary conditions extending further south than is typical. I know (reliable!) people in quite urban parts of Oxon that saw them with the naked eye, albeit only as blurs or faint stripes in the sky. Mobile phones did seem to consistently produce stunning images in the same locations.

Yes, the recent display was easily visible even in urban locations. I have been tracking solar activity for a while now using a couple of apps. In the past the highest I had typically seen was in the range 100-200 nT (above 100 triggers a "red" aurora alert meaning likely to be visible under the right conditions). Last week I saw it over 1,400 nT.

 

[Dogtrousers]

This was a good show. The bright light on the horizon is a ski slope. But the picture can't show how they were moving.

 

[Chris S]

I only recently found out that there was a distinct type of shoe heel style known as 'Cuban Heels'. I grew up in the 1970s when they were probably the norm on women's shoes.

 

[Gwylan]

I only recently found out that there was a distinct type of shoe heel style known as 'Cuban Heels'. I grew up in the 1970s when they were probably the norm on women's shoes.

In my time they were banned at school

 

[ExBrit]

The radiation in my office is remarkably low.

 

[Gwylan]

A

The radiation in my office is remarkably low.
View attachment 731102

H! But who calibrated things and when?

 

[Andy in Germany]

Went to the optician. Apparently I need bifocals/varifocals, which explains why I've been having trouble refocusing when doing something close up and then having to focus further away.

In other news, my apartment is a tip and the washing needs hanging out.

 

[Dave7]

I only recently found out that there was a distinct type of shoe heel style known as 'Cuban Heels'. I grew up in the 1970s when they were probably the norm on women's shoes.

I wore them in the 60s......winkle pickers with Cuban heels, trousers with stitch creasing. I was so cool

 

[raleighnut]

Every pair of 'cowboy boots' I've owned since the mid 70's have had Cuban Heels

 

[Alex321]

Every pair of 'cowboy boots' I've owned since the mid 70's have had Cuban Heels

I would say the same of mine - if I'd ever owned a pair of "cowboy boots"

 

[DaveReading]

They are de rigeur for Latin dancers ...

 

[Gwylan]

They are de rigeur for Latin dancers ...

As our Lancastrian head master said when he announced the ban on Cuban heels " I'm runnin' no Spanish dancin' school here"