Latest news with #KpIndex
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Don't Miss the Northern Lights This Week—Here's Where the Sky Will Glow Brightest
If you missed the northern lights over the weekend, don't worry. You might have another chance to see this one-of-a-kind phenomenon this week. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), some northern states may experience the aurora borealis again from Monday, June 2 through Tuesday, June 3. Most of Canada will have a chance to see the northern lights tonight, along with some U.S. states. People living in Alaska, Montana, Washington, Idaho, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and upstate New York have the greatest likelihood of seeing the aurora borealis tonight. Fewer states will have a chance of spotting the phenomenon tomorrow night. According to the NOAA forecast, the northern areas of states that directly border Canada will have the best odds. As Earth approaches the summer solstice on June 21, more northern lights sightings across the U.S. are likely. The geomagnetic storm expected to make the northern lights visible tonight and tomorrow began over the weekend and is being spurred on by an ongoing coronal mass ejection, which occurs when the sun spews large amounts of plasma and magnetic field out into space. The Kp index is expected to reach five tonight and four tomorrow night. The Kp Index is a numeric scale, ranging from one to 10, that describes geomagnetic activity and is calculated by averaging the magnetic activity globally every three hours. Per NOAA, for Kp in the 3 to 5 range, the aurora will become brighter and there will be more auroral activity. NOAA is currently forecasting a geomagnetic storm of G3 or greater, which means auroras may reach further south. The best viewing window is usually between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Will the northern lights be visible across the Carolinas tonight?
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — There was a significant solar flare that took place Friday evening, which could allow for a geomagnetic storm to impact the Earth! A G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Sunday night into Monday. As these coronal mass ejections get closer to Earth, that can sometimes allow the aurora borealis or northern lights to become visible. With recent G4 geomagnetic storms, the northern lights have been visible as far south as Northern Alabama and Northern California. That means there is a legit chance we could see the northern lights across the Carolinas late Sunday night into early Monday. There is also something called the Kp index. Whenever that is projected to be between levels 7-8, the Carolinas can tend to get a good viewing of the northern lights. Tonight's projection of the Kp index from NOAA is around 7.5 to 7.6. As always with these situations, there is a lot of uncertainty here and the viewing of the beautiful aurora borealis is not completely guaranteed! But it is worth a shot to at least try to view them. You obviously want to look north, but you want to try to be away from very little light pollution as well. With recent geomagnetic storms, using your camera on your phone can also be a good way to try and view them. The best chance of the viewing will be late Sunday night into early Monday. Peak viewing looks to be between the hours of 11 p.m. Sunday night and 2 a.m. Monday morning. Clouds will hopefully clear out enough following a few storms this evening. Good luck! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Alert: These 10 States Could See Aurora Borealis Saturday
The northern lights may make an appearance in up to 10 U.S. states Saturday night, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which has issued one of its most favorable aurora forecasts in weeks. Saturday's viewing line for the northern lights stretches as far south as central South Dakota. ... More (Photo by) NOAA forecasters have issued a Kp index of four, a geomagnetic activity metric that suggests an increase in auroral activity and lights that 'can be quite pleasing to look at' for observers in the right places. The Kp index is forecast to reach its highest points from 4 p.m. CDT to 4 a.m. CDT. The curved viewing line for Saturday goes as far south as central South Dakota, encompassing areas within 10 states, although the farther north people are located, the better chance they will have at seeing the northern lights. The northern lights forecast for Sunday calls for less auroral activity, so observers thinking about getting a look at the aurora should probably do so Saturday night. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here. The lights may be visible in Alaska, Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, the northern half of South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan (including the Michigan Peninsula) and Maine. As usual, much of Alaska and Canada will have the highest likelihood of seeing the northern lights. Saturday's viewing line. The window of time between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time generally provides the best way to get a glimpse of the northern lights. Areas with clear skies and little to no light pollution can also improve viewing chances. Smartphone users should avoid using flash and turn on night mode when trying to snap a picture of the northern lights. Those with standard cameras should use wide-angle lenses, low shutter speeds and high apertures. Solar events like the northern lights are expected to continue into next year, as the sun reached a 'solar maximum' in October, marking its peak solar activity in an 11-year cycle. Events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections contribute to northern lights activity, which occurs when electrons collide with molecules of nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere and produce energy in the form of light. Get Ready For 50 Years Of Intense Northern Lights, Scientists Say (Forbes)
Forbes
10-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: Here's What States May See Aurora Borealis Saturday
A small group of northern U.S. states could see the northern lights Saturday night, providing the best shot at seeing the natural phenomenon as auroral activity is expected to decrease Sunday. The Aurora Borealis appears in the sky on January 8, 2017 near Ester Dome mountain about 10 miles ... More west of Fairbanks, Alaska. (Photo by) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecasted a Kp index of three Saturday night, indicating an increase in auroral activity and formations that 'can be quite pleasing to look at' if observers are in the right place. Saturday's curved viewing line reaches as far south as the border of North and South Dakota, with chances of seeing aurora borealis becoming greater the further north observers are of the line. Although the likelihood of aurora is low Saturday night, those thinking of trying to catch a glimpse of northern lights should do so before Sunday, when forecasters predict a Kp index of two, which entails dim auroral activity. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here. Regions with a low likelihood of seeing the northern lights include the northeastern tip of Washington, the northern tip of Idaho, the northern half of Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Michigan's upper peninsula. A large portion of Canada and Alaska will have higher chances of seeing the lights. Saturday's viewing line. The window between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. is the best time to try and see the lights. Observers can improve their chances at seeing aurora borealis by viewing from vantage points and areas with clear skies and little to no light pollution. Observers with smartphones should use their devices' night mode and avoid using flash when trying to photograph the northern lights. Tripods and low shutter speeds can help regular cameras snap photos of the lights, as well as wide-angle lenses and high apertures. May's northern lights activity is far more mild than the same time a year ago, when states as far south as Texas and Florida had chances to see aurora borealis. Last year, the sun reached a 'solar maximum,' marking a large increase in solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which contribute to northern lights showings. The peak in the solar activity is forecast to last into early 2026, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists. Get Ready For 50 Years Of Intense Northern Lights, Scientists Say (Forbes)
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Northern Lights Visible in 17 States This Week Due to 'Double Eruption' From the Sun
Look up at the night sky this week and you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the northern lights. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA SWPC), the aurora borealis could be seen across the United States on Tuesday, April 15, and Wednesday, April 16, due to a geomagnetic storm. According to two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) erupted from the sun and are expected to hit Earth's magnetic field on April 16. The impact could cause G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday. The CMEs were caused by a double eruption on the sun. Per the NOAA, the Kp index may reach six over the next couple of days. The Kp Index is a numeric scale, ranging from one to 10, that describes geomagnetic activity. For Kp in the six to seven range, "the aurora will move even further from the poles and will become quite bright and active," the NOAA states. The NOAA's aurora view line predicts that most of Canada will have a front-row view of the northern lights this week, as well as parts of the U.S, including those living in Washington, northern Oregon, northern Idaho, Montana, northern Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, northern Iowa, Wisconsin, northern Illinois, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Alaska. The best time to see the northern lights is during the evening from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time. "There may be aurora in the evening and morning but it is usually not as active and therefore, not as visually appealing," the NOAA states. Find a location away from city or street lights and air pollution. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
