Latest news with #ShawnDahl
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Climate
- Boston Globe
Northern Lights continue to be visible across northern New England to start the week
Monday and Tuesday night Aurora Forecast will extend the view line into Northern New England. Boston Globe The current geomagnetic storm was designated a level 4 out of 5 categories, making it one of the strongest space storms of the year. Advertisement The large field of solar particles and magnetically charged plasma, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), has weakened since its arrival yesterday but is still forecast to bring a 'strong' storm Monday evening. 'Although the current storm has weakened, its magnetic field has been persistent and quite slow to decrease before the CME leaves Earth behind,' said Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. This means a 'large disturbance in Earth's magnetic field that varies in intensity,' the center said. This level of storm typically brings the viewing line to Central and Northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. After Tuesday night, 'nothing significant after the current CME has impacted the longer range forecast just yet,' Dahl said. What are coronal mass ejections? Coronal mass ejections are immense clouds of solar material blasted into space by the sun at more than 1 million miles per hour, often following a solar flare. CMEs expand as they sweep through space, often measuring millions of miles across. Advertisement As CMEs pass Earth, they create a geomagnetic storm — when plasma particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen ions in our upper atmosphere — resulting in the shimmering ribbons of color we call the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. The collision of the charged particles and atoms in the Earth's atmosphere releases energy, creating visible light. BOSTON GLOBE The peak of Solar Cycle 25 The sun has been the most active we have seen in more than 20 years, dating back to May 2024 when a massive display of the Northern Lights could be seen as far south as Hawaii. This is because we're now experiencing what's known as solar max, the height of an 11-year solar cycle. The solar cycle is a naturally occurring phenomenon in which the sun's magnetic poles switch, causing changes in the sun's magnetic fields that create disruptions on its surface. Peak activity is expected to continue into 2026. You can see the observed and forecast solar activity in the current cycle below. The sun continues to see peak solar activity in the current cycle. NOAA The best strategy to catch the lights With mostly clear skies expected on Monday and Tuesday, there's a chance that you may catch the lights. Here are a few tips to maximize your chances of seeing the display. Make sure to get away from light pollution and look towards the north. Every smartphone has a compass app that can point you in the right direction. The best viewing window is typically during the darkest hours at night, currently from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Head to higher ground. If there is any way to get to higher elevation, your point of view becomes larger, increasing your chances. Break out the cellphone camera. The aurora is not always visible to the naked eye but your cellphone can pick up the wavelengths and capture what you can't see. 'Aim it up toward the sky and take a shot. You may be surprised when you check your phone later to find some beautiful shots,' said Brent Gordon, a scientist with the space weather center. Professional photographers also suggest enabling night mode on your cellphone so it automatically adjusts your camera settings for low-light conditions. In addition, adjust the exposure time to maximize the potential of your shot and make sure that the 'live' setting is off. Advertisement Ken Mahan can be reached at
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Economic Times
Northern lights in US: These 13 states to witness aurora today. Here's how you can maximize your viewing experience
Northern Lights to be visible in US Live Events US states that could see auroras tonight and over the weekend: Aurora forecast and viewing tips When to see the northern lights How to photograph the northern lights How to maximize your aurora viewing experience (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Sky gazers get ready! The northern lights are expected to put on a breathtaking show over parts of the US due to a powerful geomagnetic storm hitting Earth. The northern lights may be may be visible from 13 US states on Monday, June 2 through Tuesday, June 3, 2025, after a G1 geomagnetic storm was forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reports The is currently being buffeted by high-speed solar wind, which is putting pressure on our planet's magnetic field and fueling the storm — and this could be an excellent opportunity for anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern storm intensified to "severe" strength early Sunday morning, powerful enough to push the glowing aurora borealis farther south than usual — potentially illuminating skies from Michigan and Washington State all the way to Northern California and even Alabama, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 'This is going to be a great night to view the lights where skies are clear,' Shawn Dahl, a coordinator at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, told the New York to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, a geomagnetic storm may brew and lead to a rare display of the Northern Lights. It comes in the wake of an 'extreme' G5 geomagnetic storm last weekend that saw aurora borealis seen from as far south as Earth approaches the solstice on June 21, the US is currently one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. Space weather forecasters are forecasting strong (G3) geomagnetic storm conditions with the possibility of severe (G4) conditions thanks to both elevated solar winds and an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME), according to Just days ago, a surprise G3 storm on May 28 triggered auroras in 17 U.S. States and even as far south as Italy. That G3 storm had originally been forecast to only reach G1 to the agency's three-day forecast, a geomagnetic storm rated G1 on the G1–G5 scale could occur from Monday night into Tuesday morning across North aurora visibility maps indicate that northern U.S. states and parts of Canada may see aurora displays. Residents in 13 U.S. states have a chance of spotting the aurora along the northern horizon, with the highest likelihood near the U.S.-Canada DakotaMinnesotaWisconsinMichiganSouth DakotaVermontNew HampshireMaineIdahoWashingtonOregonNew YorkMassachusettsNebraskaIowaWyomingIllinoisConnecticutAccording to the latest forecast from NOAA, the Kp index — a measure of geomagnetic activity and aurora intensity — may reach a level of 5. This level corresponds to a G1-class geomagnetic storm and means the auroral oval could extend farther south than usual. At Kp levels between 3 and 5, 'the aurora will move further from the poles, become brighter, and display more activity in terms of motion and formations,' NOAA states. 'In the right location, these auroras can be a stunning sight.'For context, the powerful geomagnetic storm on May 10, 2024, reached a Kp index of 9 and was classified as a G5 event — the highest category. It resulted in aurora sightings as far south as Florida and was the strongest storm of its kind since the current forecast suggests aurora activity may be visible from Monday night into Tuesday morning across parts of North America, actual visibility depends on real-time data. That information comes from NASA's DSCOVR and ACE satellites, which orbit the sun about a million miles from Earth. They provide around 30 minutes of warning before auroras appear, by detecting changes in solar wind speed and magnetic field smartphones with a 'Night Mode' feature are more than capable of capturing impressive images of the aurora. Here are three tips to get the best results:Use the main camera lens rather than the ultra-wide lens, which typically has lower image your phone using a tripod or a solid surface like a fencepost or your car roof to avoid blur during long exposures (typically 5–10 seconds).Shoot in RAW format if your camera app allows it, which gives you more flexibility for editing to go aurora-hunting? Here's how to improve your chances of catching an unforgettable show:Head for the dark and high ground: Find a spot far from city lights—think parks, remote trails, or elevated lookouts. The darker and higher, the the weather: Clear skies are essential. Don't let clouds ruin your night—check the forecast before you it right: The best viewing window is usually between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Arrive too early or leave too soon, and you might miss the prepared: The aurora can be unpredictable. Pack warm layers, a cozy blanket, hot drinks, and some snacks to stay comfortable while you patient: Sometimes the lights appear in an instant; other times, they take their time. Relax, enjoy the moment, and let nature do its thing.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights viewing Sunday ‘unlikely' in Maryland, expert says
Marylanders might have already missed their chance to see the northern lights during increased solar storm activity this weekend, according to a space weather expert. Seeing the aurora in Maryland on Sunday night is 'unlikely,' said Shawn Dahl, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center, though he said there is a watch for a strong G4-level geomagnetic storm for the rest of the day and into Monday. The northern lights, or aurora borealis, form when charged particles from these storms, also known as coronal mass ejections, come into contact with Earth's upper atmosphere over the polar regions. 'After those collisions happen and things settle down, it emits light and this process continues,' Dahl said. Geomagnetic storms are measured in strength on a scale from G1 through G5, he said. There was a G4-level event early Sunday morning at 1:30 a.m. from a storm that came from the sun Thursday evening, according to Dahl. That storm is still passing over Earth, he said. But the power of the geomagnetic storm, like that of a rain storm, can fluctuate. 'The level can change during the course of a storm's progression over Earth,' Dahl said. But the storm will weaken as it passes over the planet, eventually leaving it behind, he said. 'We think it's beginning to weaken now … but it still is possible we could see a G4 later this evening.' Although Dahl said it was unlikely for Marylanders to catch the phenomenon with their naked eyes Sunday night, he couldn't rule it out. The Space Weather Prediction Center is monitoring new, faint coronal mass ejections for potential arrival Monday night, but predicting the arrival time isn't exact, he said. 'We're trying to forecast something that left the sun 93 million miles away,' Dahl said. Predicting strength, arrival time and if the storms will even hit Earth is 'very hard to figure that out when you only have a couple of spacecraft that are taking pictures of the sun, but we do our best,' he said. Using this most recent storm as an example, Dahl said the Space Weather Prediction Center had initially predicted it would hit Earth in the late afternoon Sunday then adjusted the arrival time to Sunday at noon, but it actually arrived nine to 12 hours earlier, causing the visible aurora last night. Sunday night in Maryland could be even more unlikely for onlookers to spot the aurora, Dahl said, depending on the strength of the coming ejections. Nighttime clouds Sunday might also complicate local viewing attempts. Even if local stargazers don't catch the aurora Sunday, they can look forward to seeing Mercury in the western sky June 20. Later, August will bring the Perseid meteor shower, though a bright waning gibbous moon might overshadow the show. Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@ 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Climate
- New York Post
Northern Lights will be visible across most of US thanks to a ‘severe' geomagnetic storm
The northern lights are expected to put on a breathtaking show over parts of the U.S. Sunday night due to a powerful geomagnetic storm hitting Earth. The storm reached 'severe' strength early Sunday morning, strong enough to push the glowing aurora borealis further south than usual — possibly lighting up skies from Michigan and Washington State, down to Northern California and even Alabama, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. 'This is going to be a great night to view the lights where skies are clear,' Shawn Dahl, a coordinator at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, told the New York Times. According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, a geomagnetic storm may brew and lead to a rare display of the Northern Lights. den-belitsky – Clear skies are expected across much of the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, the Midwest, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley, making them prime viewing spots. Star-gazers in the Big Apple, however, shouldn't count on seeing much due to cloudy skies forcast basically all night. 'New York City isn't looking great,' Peter Mullinax of the National Weather Service told the outlet. The aurora is triggered when a burst of material from the sun, called a 'coronal mass ejection,' smashes into Earth's magnetic field. This specific storm is hitting hard enough to reach G4 levels, one notch below the most extreme level, experts said. Usually, the lights are only visible if you take a trek to Iceland or Greenland. A photo of the sun on Saturday by GOES-19 SUVI Composite 195 Angstroms. Space Weather Prediction Center For your best shot at catching the lights, head outside the city, get away from light pollution, and face north, Dahl explained. Even if you can't see the lights with your own eyes, smartphone cameras may be able to pick up the light show. 'As soon as it gets dark enough, people should be on the lookout to the north, outside of city lights,' Dahl said. Though a full moon can diminish the visibility of the lights, 'The moon is very young, so that's not going to be a problem,' he said. The sweet spot for viewing will be between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to forecasters. The sprawl of the lights will also be able to be tracked by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- New York Times
Northern Lights May Be Visible as Far South as Alabama
A geomagnetic storm is expected to set skies aglow in the northern part of the United States on Sunday night into early Monday morning, with the northern lights potentially visible as far south as Alabama to Northern California, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. The geometric storm reached severe strength early Sunday morning. Though it was not expected to be as intense as the one in May 2024 that flooded skies around the world with light, Shawn Dahl, service coordinator for the Space Weather Prediction Center, said Sunday will be a great night to view the lights where skies are clear. 'Monday night would be another night to look out, especially in the more northern locations,' Mr. Dahl said. 'But for those who are eager to see the aurora, where they usually don't get to see it, the best chance would be Sunday night.' The lights are expected to be most vivid in the northernmost states, such as Michigan and Washington State. They may also be visible on the horizon in the middle latitudes, from Oregon and Northern California across the country into the Mid-Atlantic, and down into the South. Places with the best potential for clear skies on Sunday night include much of the Pacific Northwest, particularly earlier in the night, as well as a good chunk of Northern California. The central Plains into the Ohio Valley, across most of the Midwest and also the Mid-Atlantic could provide good viewing opportunities. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
