Latest news with #Aurorasaurus
4 hours ago
- Climate
Northern lights could be visible in more than a dozen US states tonight
Another dazzling display of northern lights could be visible Monday night with the prediction of a minor geomagnetic storm, according to space weather experts. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center has forecasted a minor geomagnetic storm that could produce auroras in more than a dozen U.S. states. People in states like Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine could see the northern lights, according to NOAA's aurora viewline map. Some of the northernmost states could witness more displays on Tuesday night, the map shows. The auroras could appear especially vibrant due to the current phase of the moon. This week, the moon is expected to rise in the early morning hours, which will make the night sky appear even darker. Streaks of pinks and greens may be more visible against the dark canvas. The best times to see the northern lights in the U.S. will be between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., according to NOAA. Northern lights occur when atoms and molecules in Earth's atmosphere clash with a solar flare, which causes the atoms in the upper atmosphere to glow, creating a spectrum of color in the night sky. In October, the sun's magnetic field reached the solar maximum phase in its 11-year cycle, according to NASA. The increase in number of sunspots and intensity of magnetic activity from the sun has led to more northern lights activity over the past year. Sunspots with intense magnetic activity are expected to last through 2026, according to NOAA. The Space Weather Prediction Center recommends traveling away from city lights and traveling to the darkest location possible for the best viewing. Smartphones and digital cameras may be able to capture the light shows even if they are not visible to the naked eye because they are more sensitive to the array of colors, according to NASA. The citizen science platform Aurorasaurus allows users to sign up for alerts of northern lights that are being seen in real time, based on user reports.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
These US states may be able to see the northern lights tonight
Some U.S. states could be treated to a northern lights display thanks to a minor geomagnetic storm on the sun, according to space forecasts. Another round of aurora borealis is expected on Thursday night, with a predicted Kp index of magnitude four out of nine, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center. MORE: How to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights as the current solar cycle peaks The northernmost states in the U.S. have the highest chances of seeing the northern lights, including Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, NOAA's aurora viewline map shows. In October, the sun's magnetic field reached its solar maximum in its 11-year cycle, according to NASA. When sunspots produce a solar flare, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are bursts of magnetized plasma emitted from the sun's corona, travel toward Earth as part of the solar wind, manifesting in a dazzling light show of luminous greens and pinks as the material interacts with Earth's magnetic field. The lead-up to the solar maximum resulted in the best northern lights display in 500 years in May, when a series of powerful solar storms made the lights visible as far south as Alabama. MORE: This is when peak northern lights activity will occur Another strong geomagnetic storm in November made the auroras visible even in light-polluted cities like New York City. Sunspots with intense magnetic activity are predicted to occur through the end of the solar maximum, which is expected to last until March 2026, according to NOAA. The best times to view the northern lights are in the hours just before and after midnight, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to NOAA. Smartphones and digital cameras are more sensitive to the array of colors and can capture the light shows even if they're not visible to the naked eye, NASA says. If you're curious whether the northern lights will be visible where you live, the citizen science platform Aurorasaurus allows users to sign up for alerts. The app also sends alerts that northern lights are being seen in real time, based on user reports. These US states may be able to see the northern lights tonight originally appeared on
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The Northern Lights Will Be Visible This Week — How to Watch the Stunning Spectacle
If you're a fellow stargazer and skywatcher, you're in luck!With March's action-packed skies and the spring season approaching, it's shaping up to be one of the best months of the year for catching a glimpse of the northern lights. 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 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 we continue to reach solar maximum — with the sun gaining more and more strength — aurora displays will be on the rise, per 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 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 says you can't watch the aurora show from the comfort of your home? According to 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 real-time updates, however, be sure to check out Aurorasaurus, a citizen science platform where aurora enthusiasts share instant reports on new sky shows. Read the original article on People
USA Today
06-03-2025
- Science
- USA Today
As spring equinox nears, look for the northern lights: We explain why
As spring equinox nears, look for the northern lights: We explain why There may be more northern lights – or aurora borealis – sightings this spring. As we near the spring equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, on March 20, the Earth's magnetic field and solar wind align, creating an increased chance of seeing the colorful auroras in the Earth's upper atmosphere. According to Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium recently told CNET, in the winter and summer months there's a lower chance because half the Earth is tilted away from the sun, known as the Russell-McPherron effect. During the March and September equinoxes, the Earth's axis is parallel to the sun's. According to the Russell-McPherron effect, the magnetic fields of the Earth and the solar wind momentarily coincide, creating "cracks" that allow charged particles to accelerate and intensify the Earth's northern light displays. The sun's solar cycle impact on northern lights When the sun is "active," it produces more sunspots, which appear as black splotches on the face of the sun. The sun also produces powerful solar flares and coronal mass ejections that trigger geomagnetic storms, which lead to northern lights here on Earth. This year's solar maximum is expected to be much stronger than the last one in 2014, which was uncharacteristically weak, said Allison Jaynes, associate professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Iowa. The trend is expected to continue throughout 2025, Jaynes said. Solar maximum occurs when solar activity peaks within a specific solar cycle. And that's great news for northern lights skywatchers. Earth's magnetic field affected by the sun's solar flares We are protected from the solar winds − streams of charged particles ejected from the sun − by an invisible barrier formed by Earth's magnetic field. Stronger solar winds can interfere with Earth's magnetic field. When the particle stream interacts with gases in the planet's magnetic field, stunning auroras are produced. Atoms in air molecules in Earth's magnetic field are stimulated when charged electrons from the sun collide with them. As the molecules settle, they emit light. Green and red light are emitted by oxygen. The color of nitrogen is blue and purple. You can find more northern light details on the Space Weather Prediction Center, which provides an aurora dashboard that should help skygazers track the phenomenon. And Aurorasaurus has a live map, with notification options. CONTRIBUTING Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez/USA TODAY NETWORK SOURCE NASA, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, Smithsonian and USA TODAY research
