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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights may be visible from these 13 US States tonight
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Though geomagnetic activity is beginning to wane, the northern lights could still put on a show tonight (June 3). Earth is still reverberating from not one but two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that hit in the early hours of June 1 and late June 2, wreaking havoc on our magnetic field and triggering incredible auroras around the world. Space weather forecasters from the U.K. Met Office predict there is still a slight chance of further strong (G3) geomagnetic storms, with minor (G1) and moderate (G2) intervals expected. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center predicts that the Kp index will peak at 4.67 over the next 24 hours. For an up-to-date breakdown of timings, check out NOAA's 3-day forecast. (Kp is a measurement of geomagnetic activity, with an index that ranges from 0 to 9; higher Kp indicates stronger auroral activity.) You can also keep up with the latest forecasts and geomagnetic storm warnings with our aurora forecast live blog. In the U.S., Alaska has the highest chance of seeing the northern lights tonight. If predicted G3 storms are reached, auroras could be visible down to Illinois and Oregon, according to NOAA, though the chance for more G3 storms is slim. Below we have listed all 13 states that appear either fully or in part above the possible view line for auroras tonight, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. They are ordered most likely to least likely based on their proximity to the center of the auroral oval and how much of each state is within or near the view line. Remember, auroras can be fickle. Sometimes they can appear much farther south than predicted, and other times they barely show up at all. There are many conditions that have to align for the perfect show. It is possible that many more states could witness auroras tonight, or perhaps far fewer will. Alaska Minnesota North Dakota Montana Wisconsin Michigan (Upper Peninsula) South Dakota Maine Vermont New Hampshire Idaho Washington Oregon If you live in one of the 13 states forecasted to have a chance of seeing the northern lights tonight, head to a north-facing vantage point as far away from light pollution as possible! The best time to look for auroras will be about 1 a.m. local time, as our window of darkness for observing the northern lights shrinks during summer months. Use your mobile phone to scan the skies, as the camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This can help you pinpoint where in the sky you should be focusing your attention. But remember to keep an eye out elsewhere too as auroras can pop up in front, behind or even above you! Happy aurora hunting. If you want to make sure you're all clued up on when to look for auroras download a space weather app that provides forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.
Time Out
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Time Out
These U.S. states could see the Northern Lights tonight
Another round of geomagnetic activity means the Northern Lights might once again make a surprise appearance tonight, June 3, in several American states. After two powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) slammed into Earth's magnetic field over the weekend, auroras lit up skies around the world, and the show's not over just yet. Forecasters at the U.K. Met Office say there's still a slight chance of a strong geomagnetic storm tonight, though minor to moderate conditions is more likely. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center expects the Kp index (a measurement of geomagnetic activity) to peak at 4.67—strong enough to potentially push auroras farther south than usual. Alaska remains the best bet for skywatchers in the U.S., but if geomagnetic activity ramps up again, Northern Lights could stretch as far south as Illinois and Oregon. NOAA lists 13 U.S. states that are either fully or partially within the auroral viewing zone. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana and North Dakota are the most promising. But don't make any major travel plans: auroras are famously unpredictable. They can flare unexpectedly or fade without a trace. Cloud cover, light pollution and local weather will also play a role. Check NOAA's 3-day aurora forecast for real-time updates before you head out. Bottom line? If you're anywhere near the auroral oval tonight, keep an eye on the sky (and, ideally, seek out a north-facing vantage point far from urban light pollution for the best view). Even if the odds are slim, the payoff could be a jaw-dropping celestial show! 13 U.S. states that could see auroras tonight 1. Alaska 2. Minnesota 3. North Dakota 4. Montana 5. Wisconsin 6. Michigan (Upper Peninsula) 7. South Dakota 8. Maine 9. Vermont 10. New Hampshire 11. Idaho 12. Washington 13. Oregon
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Glowing blue spiral over Europe dazzles and perplexes. There's an explanation familiar to SoCal
A large, bright blue spiral spotted over Europe on Monday night sparked chatter on social media about what might have caused the mysterious vortex. Videos posted on the X showed a blue orb in the night sky that was visible in the U.K., France and other countries. In a post on X, AccuWeather said the mesmerizing blue spiral might have been caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The post quoted the U.K. Met Office in saying,the spiral probably came about due to the rocket's "frozen exhaust plume... spinning in the atmosphere and reflecting the sunlight, causing it to appear as a spiral in the sky." The flight, dubbed NROL-69, launched shortly before 2 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, according to Space X's website, where the launch can be seen on video. A spokesman for SpaceX could not immediately be reached for comment. A Falcon 9 has previously caused a stir in Southern California with the light show it left in its wake. Sci-fi fans might see a similarity with another blue vortex. The spiral is reminiscent of the phenomenon in the 1980 film "The Final Countdown," in which the USS Nimitz enters a blue vortex and travels through time to the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Of course, it's Hollywood, no explanation is needed. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
26-03-2025
- Science
- Los Angeles Times
Glowing blue spiral over Europe dazzles and perplexes. There's an explanation familiar to SoCal
A large, bright blue spiral spotted over Europe on Monday night sparked chatter on social media about what might have caused the mysterious vortex. Videos posted on the X showed a blue orb in the night sky that was visible in the U.K., France and other countries. In a post on X, AccuWeather said the mesmerizing blue spiral might have been caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The post quoted the U.K. Met Office in saying,the spiral probably came about due to the rocket's 'frozen exhaust plume... spinning in the atmosphere and reflecting the sunlight, causing it to appear as a spiral in the sky.' The flight, dubbed NROL-69, launched shortly before 2 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, according to Space X's website, where the launch can be seen on video. A spokesman for SpaceX could not immediately be reached for comment. The Falcon 9 has previously caused a stir in Southern California with the light show it left in its wake. Sci-fi fans might see a similarity with another blue vortex. The spiral is reminiscent of the phenomenon in the 1980 film 'The Final Countdown,' in which the USS Nimitz enters a blue vortex and travels through time to the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Of course, it's Hollywood, no explanation is needed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
See it: Florida SpaceX launch produces dazzling blue spiral in night sky above Europe
A SpaceX rocket launch from Florida on Monday afternoon produced a dazzling display in the night sky above Europe, leading to some people asking Elon Musk what they were witnessing. The rocket launched from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during the afternoon hours, but it was already dark across Europe when it lifted off. How To Watch Fox Weather As it zoomed across the sky to reach space, it produced a mesmerizing blue spiral that left many Europeans scratching their heads. The video at the top of this story was recorded in Joze, central France, and provides a glimpse of what several people witnessed as the rocket tried to escape Earth's atmosphere. People in England also witnessed the unusual display, with photos shared from Lincoln showing the massive blue and white colors illuminating part of the night sky. Photographer Joanne Werrell said it was "amazing to watch as it went over." Spacex Works To Expand Rocket Launching Facilities Along Florida's Space Coast Another person from the United Kingdom took to X to ask Elon Musk if the hypnotic display was from a SpaceX rocket. The video Jamie Hume shared showed a faint white ring surrounding a brighter white light, presumably the rocket, as it zoomed away from Earth. According to the U.K. Met Office, the rare display was likely caused by the rocket's frozen exhaust plume, which appeared to be spinning in the atmosphere and reflecting the light, thus creating the jaw-dropping spiral article source: See it: Florida SpaceX launch produces dazzling blue spiral in night sky above Europe
