Latest news with #SpaceWeather
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Don't Miss Tonight's Northern Lights Show—These 18 States Have the Best View
Find out if the dazzling display will be in your Points The northern lights may be visible tonight across parts of the northern U.S., including states as far south as Illinois, due to predicted geomagnetic storm activity. NOAA forecasts moderate G2 geomagnetic storm conditions between 2 and 5 a.m. EDT. The best chance to view the auroras is from a dark, north-facing location around 2 in the United States, as far south as Illinois, could have the chance to see a spectacular light show tonight. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the northern lights are projected to illuminate the skies this evening. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is predicting minor to moderate geomagnetic storms in the very early hours of Friday morning, with a slight chance of strong G3 levels, caused by an incoming coronal mass ejection (an ejection of plasma mass from the sun's corona). Geomagnetic storms are ranked from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). A G2 storm means that the aurora oval—the zone where there is a higher probability of seeing the northern lights—could move farther south, allowing more parts of the northern U.S. to spot the natural phenomenon, especially if there's minimal light pollution. G3 conditions could bring auroras as far south as Pennsylvania, but that's less likely. Based on the NOAA forecast, residents in 18 states including Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, South Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, New York, Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois will have an opportunity to spot the northern lights, with those in the northernmost parts having the greatest possibility. According to NOAA's Kp index forecast, activity could begin as early as 11 p.m. EDT tonight, with moderate G2 storm conditions occurring from 2 to 5 a.m. EDT, which will be the best aurora viewing window. There is also a chance the geomagnetic storm will pop up Friday night into Saturday morning instead, according to the Met Office, the United Kingdom's national meteorological service. So if you don't see the auroras tonight, be sure to check back tomorrow night. The Kp index is a scale from 0 to 9 used to measure geomagnetic activity. The higher the number, the more likely auroras are to be visible at mid-latitudes, away from the poles. NOAA currently predicts the Kp index will peak at 6 in the middle of the night tonight. If you're in an area with the potential to experience auroras, head out and find a north-facing location with a clear view of the horizon that's as far away from light pollution as possible. The best time to see the northern lights will be around 2 a.m. local time. Read the original article on Martha Stewart Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern Lights visible in the UK this weekend - see exactly where and when
The Northern Lights are set to be visible across parts of the UK this weekend, starting as early as Friday (August 8) night. The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are described as "one of the most spectacular displays in the night sky". This "incredible occurrence" can occasionally be seen in the night sky over Britain. Time-lapse of the Northern Lights Stargazers across the country are set to get their latest chance to see the Northern Lights this weekend, according to Met Office forecasts. Best time to see the Northern Lights this weekend The Northern Lights may be visible in parts of the UK on Friday night (August 8) and into the early hours of Saturday (August 9) morning, according to the Met Office. The Met Office Space Weather forecast reads: "Expected Coronal Mass Ejection and coronal hole fast wind influence is forecast for 08-09 August, which will likely enhance auroral activity. "Sightings are possible over Scotland, especially the north, given clear skies. "There is a chance of visible activity for parts of the north of England and Ireland, given good conditions, with the peak chance likely from late on 08 August. "However, confidence in the timing remains low, and visibility will be limited by the short hours of darkness and any potential cloud cover. "Aurora activity likely declining by the end of the period." Tip for night sky photos on your phone Best places to see the Northern Lights in the UK According to the space weather forecast from the Met Office, the best spots in the UK to see the Northern Lights over the coming days are: Scotland North of England Ireland The Met Office added: "The northern lights are best seen in darkness, away from any light pollution." RECOMMENDED READING: How can you take a photo of the Northern Lights? (A guide for beginners) WATCH: Family captures 'bright shooting star' on doorbell camera BBC and Met Office to join forces to deliver UK's 'most-trusted' weather service What are the Northern Lights? The Northern Lights are caused by charged particles from the sun hitting gases in the Earth's atmosphere. The colours occur due to different gases in the Earth's atmosphere being energised by the charged particles. Nitrogen and oxygen are the two most common gases in the atmosphere, with nitrogen emitting purple, blue and pink colours and oxygen emitting green.
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Closest-ever images of the Sun captured by Nasa probe
Showing now | News 03:27 NASA has released the closest-ever images of the Sun, captured just 3.8 million miles from its surface. Since its launch in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe has gradually circled closer to the sun, flying past Venus to use the planet's gravity to move it into a tighter orbit. Newly released footage shows historic close-up images captured during the spacecraft 's closest approach to the Sun on December 24, 2024. 'This new data will help us vastly improve our space weather predictions to ensure the safety of our astronauts and the protection of our technology here on Earth and throughout the solar system,' said Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here are all the places in the US that you can see the northern lights tonight
People in some parts of the U.S. may be able to see the northern lights this evening. Weather permitting, residents of more than a dozen states could hit the jackpot, according to the most recent forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center - Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, and New York. For the best chance to catch the phenomenon, skywatchers should head to areas away from light pollution at around 2 a.m. local time. However, auroras can be fickle, showing up in areas other than where they are expected. The dazzling display is caused by an incoming coronal mass ejection: a burst of plasma and solar material released by the sun and headed our way. The result of this celestial event is often a geomagnetic storm, which is triggered when the eruption travels through space and interacts with Earth's magnetic field. 'A G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for 02 Jul (UTC day) due to the arrival of a CME that left the Sun on 28 Jun,' the center said in a post on social media. Geomagnetic storms are what create the aurora borealis, which is light produced when particles from space collide with atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere centered on Earth's magnetic pole. A G1 geomagnetic storm is the weakest on the scale of storms, which goes up to G5. In this minor storm, weak power grid fluctuations can occur, and a minor impact on satellite operations is possible. Stronger solar flares and coronal mass ejections can lead to radio blackouts and more severe spacecraft operation impacts, such as problems with orientation and tracking satellites. A radio blackout was observed earlier this month thanks to a strong flare. The sun is in what is known as its solar maximum period, meaning an increase in solar activity that has led to the most intense solar storm in decades and stunning displays of the northern lights across the country. Scientists have warned there may be 'much bigger' and disruptive storms en route in the coming years.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here are all the places in the US that you can see the northern lights tonight
People in some parts of the U.S. may be able to see the northern lights this evening. Weather permitting, residents of more than a dozen states could hit the jackpot, according to the most recent forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center - Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, and New York. For the best chance to catch the phenomenon, skywatchers should head to areas away from light pollution at around 2 a.m. local time. However, auroras can be fickle, showing up in areas other than where they are expected. The dazzling display is caused by an incoming coronal mass ejection: a burst of plasma and solar material released by the sun and headed our way. The result of this celestial event is often a geomagnetic storm, which is triggered when the eruption travels through space and interacts with Earth's magnetic field. 'A G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for 02 Jul (UTC day) due to the arrival of a CME that left the Sun on 28 Jun,' the center said in a post on social media. Geomagnetic storms are what create the aurora borealis, which is light produced when particles from space collide with atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere centered on Earth's magnetic pole. A G1 geomagnetic storm is the weakest on the scale of storms, which goes up to G5. In this minor storm, weak power grid fluctuations can occur, and a minor impact on satellite operations is possible. Stronger solar flares and coronal mass ejections can lead to radio blackouts and more severe spacecraft operation impacts, such as problems with orientation and tracking satellites. A radio blackout was observed earlier this month thanks to a strong flare. The sun is in what is known as its solar maximum period, meaning an increase in solar activity that has led to the most intense solar storm in decades and stunning displays of the northern lights across the country. Scientists have warned there may be 'much bigger' and disruptive storms en route in the coming years.
