Northern Lights Forecast: These 10 States Could See the Aurora Tonight Amid ‘Moderate’ Geomagnetic Storm
Top Line According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, some states along the Canadian border could see the aurora on Thursday, as high-speed winds from a spot on the sun’s surface can impact Earth’s magnetic field
Where Can the Northern Lights Be Visible?
Northern Canada and Alaska will have the best chance of seeing the aurora borealis, but the line of sight — which marks the minimum chance of seeing the phenomenon — passes below the Canadian border. Areas in northeastern Washington, northern Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota and Upper Michigan will have a low chance, while some areas in northern Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Maine have an even lower chance
What’s the best way to see the aurora borealis?
NOAA recommends getting to a high visibility location, away from light pollution, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
What’s the best way to photograph the Northern Lights?
Photographers told National Geographic that a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less, and a focal length set to the furthest possible setting are recommended for capturing the Northern Lights. If you’re using a smartphone, you should turn on night mode and turn off the flash.
Main Background
Electrons from solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections interact with nitrogen and oxygen molecules and atoms in Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to become “excited” before creating the colorful display of the aurora. Activity on the sun’s surface will reach a “solar maximum” in October 2024, marking a surge in solar events that will likely last until early 2026, according to NASA. The aurora display will peak in 500 years in 2024, the agency said, when the strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades hit Earth last May, sending the aurora as far south as Texas and northern Florida.
