Latest news with #aurora
Forbes
2 days ago
- Climate
- Forbes
The Northern Lights Could Be Visible On Sunday—Here's Where They Could Appear
The northern lights have a moderate chance of appearing in parts of the Upper Midwest, Great Plains and Alaska on Sunday night into Monday morning—but they could appear even brighter the next night as geomagnetic storms increase the likelihood of aurora formation. Minor geomagnetic storms could cause the lights to appear in the northern U.S. Getty Images Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict a Kp index of three out of nine, meaning the aurora will move further from the poles and appear brighter with more motions and formations. Minor geomagnetic storms are driving the Kp index higher, NOAA said, with the Kp index briefly reaching as high as six in the last 24 hours. In the Midwest, northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula could all see aurora formation Sunday night, according to NOAA's forecast. Most of North Dakota, Alaska and a large portion of Montana could also see the lights, while small slivers of extreme northern Idaho and northeastern Washington are also within the view line. What Is Causing The Geomagnetic Storms? Forecasters believe the influence of coronal hole high speed streams are causing more geomagnetic storms. Coronal holes are 'cooler, less dense' regions of the Sun, according to NOAA, that have unipolar magnetic fields. Solar winds escape from these regions and travel in fast streams. When they interact with the Earth's magnetosphere, they can create visual phenomenon like the northern lights or cause geomagnetic storms. Within two hours of midnight, according to NOAA. The aurora is most active between 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., forecasters say, but could still appear in the evening and morning hours outside that four-hour window. For the best chance to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, viewers should move away from cities or other sources of light pollution and move closer to the Earth's magnetic north pole. What To Watch For Tomorrow night's expected Kp index is four, meaning there is a high likelihood the lights will appear above northern Alaska and large portions of Canada.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights might be visible over Vermont tonight. When to look
Get ready stargazers: another chance to see the northern lights in Vermont is on the horizon . The Space Weather Prediction Center issued an alert that a moderate G2 storm could make the northern lights visible in parts of the United States for the next two nights. "Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state," the alert reads. In New England, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont are in the potential view line, though the greatest chance of seeing them is over the northern midwest states, according to Space Weather Prediction Center. Map of where Northern lights may be visible In the forecast, the folowing states have the best chance of seeing the auroras. Washington Idaho Montana North Dakota South Dakota Minnesota Wisconisn Michigan However, the following states are in the view line, which shows where people still may have a chance of seeing the phenomena. Oregon Wyoming Nebraska Iowa Illinois Indiana New York Vermont New Hampshire Maine When is the best time to see the northern lights? The northern lights are typically most visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. according to NOAA. How to see the northern lights As always, dark skies make for better stargazing. "We typically suggest getting away from cities and find a open field or hilltop to lay out under the stars and wait for the show to really peak at the late evening or early morning hours," Massachusetts Institute of Technology Technical Instructor and Observatory Manager Tim Brothers said in a past interview with Wicked Local. He continued, "In New England, heading for a local conservation area or park that keeps lighting off at night is ideal. Another option is a coastline away from the larger cities — the benefit being that the constellation where you will see most of the 'shooting stars.'" Places to check for northern lights forecast If you want a chance at seeing the Northern Lights, here are some websites you can monitor the sun's activity: Aurora Alerts The Space Weather Prediction Center Aurora forecast page (NOAA) Aurora Reach This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Northern lights could be visible in VT tonight. See map, forecast Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: 10 States May See Aurora Borealis Wednesday
There may be an opportunity for some states in the northern U.S. to view the northern lights Wednesday night, and it's possible the phenomenon may become more visible, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. No geomagnetic storms or significant solar winds are forecast. Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images NOAA forecast a Kp index of four on a scale of nine for Wednesday, suggesting the northern lights might be more visible farther from the poles, including just south of the Canadian border. No geomagnetic storm conditions or 'significant' solar wind effects are expected over the next three days, including Wednesday night, according to NOAA's projections. Lesser auroral activity is expected Thursday and Friday, according to NOAA, with a maximum Kp index of about two forecast for either day. The northern lights will have a better chance of being seen throughout Canada and Alaska once the sun sets in the state. A lesser chance, marked by a curved 'view line,' is forecast in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, upper Michigan and Maine. (See map below.) Wednesday's view line. NOAA NOAA recommends traveling to a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution sometime between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. What's The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights? If using a smartphone, NOAA suggests disabling flash, enabling night mode and relying on a tripod to stabilize the image. With a regular camera, photography experts told National Geographic it's best to use a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting to capture the northern lights. Key Background Activity on the sun's surface achieved a 'solar maximum' in late 2024, indicating the northern lights will be more visible through early 2026, according to NASA and NOAA. A 'solar maximum,' coinciding with a 'solar minimum,' occurs throughout the sun's 11-year cycle and marks a respective increase or decrease in solar events like coronal mass ejections or solar flares. These events are responsible for aurora borealis, as electrons collide with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to become 'excited' before releasing energy in the form of colorful, swirling lights. Further Reading Forbes Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 By Ty Roush
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: 8 States May See Aurora Borealis Wednesday
There may be an opportunity for some states in the northern U.S. to view the northern lights Wednesday night, and it's possible the phenomenon may become more visible, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. No geomagnetic storms or significant solar winds are forecast. Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images The NOAA forecast a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Wednesday, suggesting the northern lights might be more visible farther from the poles, including just south of the Canadian border. No geomagnetic storm conditions or 'significant' solar wind effects are expected over the next three days, according to NOAA's projections, though the Kp index may rise to around four later Wednesday, meaning more states could have a chance to see the northern lights. Lesser auroral activity is expected Thursday and Friday, according to the NOAA, with a maximum Kp index of about two forecast for either day. The northern lights will have a better chance of being seen throughout Canada and Alaska once the sun sets in the state. A lesser chance, marked by a curved 'view line,' is forecast in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. (See map below.) Wednesday's view line. NOAA NOAA recommends traveling to a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution sometime between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. What's The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights? If using a smartphone, NOAA suggests disabling flash, enabling night mode and relying on a tripod to stabilize the image. With a regular camera, photography experts told National Geographic it's best to use a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting to capture the northern lights. Key Background Activity on the sun's surface achieved a 'solar maximum' in late 2024, indicating the northern lights will be more visible through early 2026, according to NASA and NOAA. A 'solar maximum,' coinciding with a 'solar minimum,' occurs throughout the sun's 11-year cycle and marks a respective increase or decrease in solar events like coronal mass ejections or solar flares. These events are responsible for aurora borealis, as electrons collide with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to become 'excited' before releasing energy in the form of colorful, swirling lights. Further Reading Forbes Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 By Ty Roush
Forbes
27-07-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Northern Lights Could Be Visible From These 8 States Sunday Night
The northern lights have a moderate chance to appear for viewers in the northern United States on Sunday night, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted, coinciding with meteor showers potentially visible in the summer night skies. The aurora visible over Fairbanks, Alaska in March. Anadolu via Getty Images Forecasters at NOAA issued a Kp index of three out of nine for Sunday night, meaning the aurora could become 'brighter' with 'more auroral activity (motion and formations).' The aurora was likely much more active Saturday night due to the presence of a geomagnetic storm, NOAA said, but several states in the Upper Midwest and Alaska could still see auroral activity on Sunday night. Meanwhile, the Piscis Austrinid meteor shower is expected to peak in the early morning hours of Monday morning. NOAA's viewing line for Sunday night. NOAA Much of the Upper Midwest is within Sunday night's viewing range, including North Dakota, parts of Montana, northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Alaska has the potential for northern lights Sunday, as well. Small slivers of northeastern Washington and northern Idaho are also within the viewing range, according to NOAA. Between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to NOAA. The aurora is brightest and most active during the hours around midnight, according to forecasters. Viewers hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights should try to move toward the magnetic north pole and away from cities and other sources of light pollution. What Else Could I See Tonight? The aurora borealis coincides with several major meteor showers actively taking place in the summer skies, including the annual Perseid meteor shower that began on July 17, although that shower is not expected to peak until August. Stargazers could also catch a glimpse of the Piscis Austrinid meteor shower, which will peak overnight, or the Southern Delta Aquariids, which will peak Tuesday.
