Northern Lights to appear in 8 US States tonight: Last chance to see Aurora Borealis this week
When and where to spot Northern Lights in the US?
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What causes the Aurora Borealis?
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast that the aurora borealis may be visible across parts of the United States on Thursday night. It could be the last chance to view the northern lights this week.The NOAA said that the northern lights will be visible across eight northern US states with a Kp index of three, indicating moderate geomagnetic activity.The northern lights are expected to be seen across the northern US and parts of southern Canada. Areas where aurora can be seen include northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, and northern Montana. This, according to a Forbes report, extends across North Dakota and Minnesota, especially the southern parts of the state.Additionally, the aurora borealis would be visible in northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The report further observed that Canada and Alaska will likely enjoy clearer views, as usual.The NOAA, reportedly, has suggested that the best time to witness the aurora is between 10 pm and 2 am local time, when the sky is darkest. A north-facing, elevated spot away from the urban cityscape, replete with lights, offers the best viewing conditions.The skies must be clear for maximum visibility.According to the reports, experts advise the stargazers to use a DSLR camera with a wide-angle lens if they wish to capture the northern lights. They recommend setting an aperture of f/4 or lower and focusing to infinity.For smartphones, they suggested enabling night mode and disabling flash. They further stated that long exposures help capture the full colour spectrum of the auroras—from green and red to occasional hues of pink and blue.As per a USA Today report, the aurora results from electrically charged particles, which are emitted from the sun, colliding with oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere. As solar flare particles or coronal mass ejections interact with the magnetosphere of Earth, this energy is then transferred in the form of glowing displays of light.The USA Today report added that the altitude and the composition of the atmosphere determine what colours the viewers perceive.We are now at the height of the sun's 11-year cycle, called the solar maximum . At this point, heightened solar activity, such as sunspots, flares, and plasma ejections, directs more charged particles toward our planet.These collisions create geomagnetic storms that drive auroras south of their usual range. The cycle should continue through early 2026, providing additional chances to view the show.Tonight (April 24) is the optimal opportunity. NOAA predicts the auroral activity to subside over the weekend, with reduced Kp index values predicted for Friday and Saturday.Yes, minor to moderate radio blackouts can result from heightened solar radiation, impacting high-frequency communication.
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