Xmas Eve Aurora And Moon Halo!

Hi all

I had a great observing session last that was full of suprises. I was out doing my photographic Nova search when from 04.50 until dawn an unexpected aurora appeared even though the charts showed the activity to be dead! A large auroral band 20* high extending 60* in azimuth in the west - North sky sector. It began is a lovely blue aurora and evolved into a green colour. It was very obvious of the naked eye..









Then behind me a 22* blue/white halo formed around the last 1/4 moon complete with 15* high Moon pillar and a Moon dog (Paraselena) 22* west of the moon...







I then observed Asteroid 4 Vesta with the 16" as well as the naked eye followed by 1.5 hours of comet hunting. I was also greeted by several lovely late season Geminids. This is the first time i have seen an aurora on Christmas Eve! This is also my 63rd aurora display! What a great night!