The Northern Lights Will Be Visible This Week — How to Watch the Stunning Spectacle
Northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, occur when solar activity — such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections — causes magnetic storms. These storms trigger interactions between the Earth's magnetic field and charged particles from the sun, resulting in the stunning colors that light up the sky.
According to Space.com, NASA solar physicist David Hathaway's 75-year study reveals that March has more geomagnetically active days than any other month. With six days of high geomagnetic activity, compared to just three in December, March offers a prime window for spotting the northern lights.
Becoming an aurora chaser this spring wouldn't be unusual, thanks to heightened solar activity as we reach solar maximum — the peak of the sun's approximately 11-year solar cycle.
Here's everything you need to know about this month's stellar skies.
Related: Spring's Eclipse Season Will Flip the Script for 4 Zodiac Signs, and Their Whole Life Is About to Change
March is said to be the best month in 2025 to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, not just because of the heightened solar activity but because the spring equinox (March 20) positions the Earth's axis perpendicular to the solar winds, which can trigger an increase of auroras.As we continue to reach solar maximum — with the sun gaining more and more strength — aurora displays will be on the rise, per Space.com.
The northern part of the United States, Canada and areas close to the Arctic Circle will offer the best opportunities to witness the aurora borealis. You'll also want to wait for clear skies; too many clouds can block your view of the colorful display on any given night.Patience is key, and allowing extra time in your "aurora season" itinerary for unpredictable weather doesn't hurt.
Related: March Challenges Us with Curveballs and These 3 Zodiac Signs Are Struggling to Keep Up
Good news: No fancy tech is needed to witness this magical light show — just look up and let the sky do the rest! However, within an hour or two before and after midnight is best for viewing, per NOA. You'll also want to avoid bright lights for the best viewing quality.Who says you can't watch the aurora show from the comfort of your home?
According to Space.com, you should check short-term forecasts like those from the Geophysical Institute. You can also track upcoming displays using NOA's Space Weather Prediction website, which offers a 30-minute forecast.For real-time updates, however, be sure to check out Aurorasaurus, a citizen science platform where aurora enthusiasts share instant reports on new sky shows.
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