Latest news with #auroraborealis
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Michigan among states that could glimpse northern lights. See map
Much of Michigan could see the northern lights on July 26, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) forecast. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible in as many as 14 northern states tonight, according to NOAA's SWPC dashboard. According to NOAA, "view lines" Michiganders as far south as Grand Rapids, Lansing and Port Huron may be able to catch a glimpse of the shimmering lights in the night sky to the north. The lights could be overhead for people in parts of the Upper Peninsula. NOAA says a G1 geomagnetic storm, a worldwide disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field, is expected to produce a Kp rating of 5. Kp is an index used to indicate the severity of the global magnetic disturbances in near-Earth space, NOAA said. Kp ratings increase from zero to 9+. NOAA is predicting moderate and minor geomagnetic storm impacts. Some high latitude electrical systems could suffer damage, radios could be affected among other issues. When could the northern lights be visible? The northern lights could be visible in Michigan Saturday, July 26, according to SPWC. What are the northern lights? The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are waves of light created when the solar wind strikes the atmosphere, creating a display of moving lights in the night sky. Which states could see the northern lights? The NOAA says the red "view line" marks the southernmost extent where aurora might be seen on the northern horizon. While more than a dozen states have a chance to see the northern lights on July 26, Alaska has the greatest chance to see the spectacle, followed by parts of the following states: Idaho Michigan Washington Montana Wyoming North Dakota South Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin New York Vermont New Hampshire Maine Why do the northern lights have different colors? The color of the aurora depends on which gas is being excited by the electrons and on how much energy is being exchanged, NASA said. Oxygen emits either a greenish-yellow light (the most familiar color of the aurora) or a red light; nitrogen generally gives off a blue light. The oxygen and nitrogen molecules also emit ultraviolet light, which can only be detected by special cameras on satellites. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Northern lights forecast: Michigan, other states could see aurora borealis July 26 Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
5 days ago
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: These 14 States Could See Aurora Borealis Saturday
This weekend will bring several U.S. states a chance at seeing the northern lights, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is anticipating some of the highest auroral activity in recent weeks on Saturday. Aurora Borealis in the United Kingdom. (Photo by) Getty Images NOAA has issued a Kp index of five for Saturday, a designation that calls for a 'moderate aurora' that 'can be quite pleasing to look at' for viewers in the right areas. The curved viewing line for Saturday nearly touches the border between South Dakota and Nebraska, as chances of seeing the northern lights increase the farther north people are of the line. Friday's northern lights forecast is not nearly as strong as Saturday's, with NOAA issuing a Kp index of two and a viewing line at the U.S.-Canada border. 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 . Saturday's viewing line includes states and areas like Alaska, Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, northern Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, the northern edge of Iowa, Michigan, the northern edges of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Saturday's viewing line. NOAA Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. is generally considered the best window of time to catch a view of the northern lights. To increase your chances at seeing aurora borealis, try viewing from areas with little to no light pollution and clear skies. Vantage points can also increase chances of seeing the lights. What's The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights? Smartphone users should use night mode and avoid using flash if they want to photograph the northern lights, while people with traditional cameras should use low apertures while shooting. Wide-angle lenses and tripods can also help capture good images. Key Background The northern lights have been active in the U.S. for over a year now, benefiting from the peak of the sun's 11-year solar cycle, which generates coronal mass ejections and solar flares that contribute to higher auroral activity. NASA forecasts say the lights will remain active into next year and eventually decrease in strength as the solar cycle moves forward. Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 (Forbes)
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
WVU researchers leading the way in NASA's TRACER mission
MORGANTOWN, (WBOY) — Researchers within West Virginia University are showing exactly how Mountaineers go first as they lead a big role in NASA's TRACER mission. TRACER has been a work in progress since 2017, but on July 23 at 2:13 p.m., Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, right alongside the thrill of WVU physics and astronomy professor, Dr. Katy Goodrich and postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Skylar Shaver. The key mission behind TRACER's launch is to study the connection between the Sun and Earth, but specifically the electrically conductive particles flying off the Sun that interact with the global magnetic field and enter the Earth's system near the poles—better known as what leads to the aurora borealis. Data for the mission is being collected by the launch of the two satellites that went into solar orbit on Wednesday. The mission requires all hands on deck, utilizing research from multiple R1 institutions nationwide, but WVU's team of researchers on the mission are science operation leads. West Virginia's brightest attend Governor's Honor Academy at WVU In an interview with 12 News, Dr. Goodrich and Dr. Shaver explained their role in the mission. 'Getting all this data back, we have to go through so many different steps, and sometimes we need someone to help us kind of transition through that to make sure that what we get is digestable, the data that we get is calibrated correctly, the data that we get is packaged correctly and distributed and explained correctly to, not just the scientific community but to the public because this is a public mission and this is for the public. Everyone should have access to this knowledge that we have,' Dr. Goodrich said. 'Our job here is to really take those lines and squigglys that are the data and make it accessible and help people see the bigger picture of what tracer science is all about,' Dr. Shaver said. The satellites will orbit and gather data for the next year and, according to Dr. Goodrich, the science operation leads are responsible for providing information to the public every six months. And though there is no set website to keep up with that data just yet, you can find more information on the project through NASA's TRACERS website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights forecast: See projected aurora map for July 23
Some areas in Alaska and Canada could see a show in the night sky on July 23, while chances of catching the aurora in the northern contiguous U.S are lower. Parts of nearly a dozen states along the northern tier of the U.S. have a low chance of seeing aurora borealis due to minor geomagnetic activity, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. NOAA predicted a geomagnetic K-index of 4 for Wednesday, July 23. That lowers its previous projection of a K-index of 5, which would have indicated a minor solar energy event. The K-index measures geomagnetic activity and indicates how far away from the poles the northern lights could be visible, according to NOAA. A Kp score between 3-5 indicates brighter and increased activity, per NOAA. The natural phenomenon, which is formally known as the aurora borealis, can project colorful lights in the night sky thanks to an interaction between the sun's plasma and earth's magnetic field, according to the National Weather Service. When could the northern lights be visible? The aurora is not visible during the daylight hours, and is usually seen just after sunset or just before sunrise, according to NOAA. The best aurora is usually within an hour or two of midnight, according to the agency. Where could the northern lights be visible? See map Parts of 10 states are within NOAA's forecasted "view line" for the northern lights on July 23. The view line indicates the southernmost point where the aurora could be seen on the northern horizon. Parts of the following states are located within NOAA's forecasted aurora view line: Alaska Washington Idaho Montana North Dakota South Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Maine Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Northern lights forecast: Map shows where aurora could be seen July 23 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The Northern Lights May Dazzle Across 14 States Tonight—Are You in One of Them?
Here's when to see the dazzling display. If you're located in the northern U.S., you might be able to catch a spectacular light show tonight. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, the northern lights will be visible in the northernmost parts of the U.S. as well as central Canada on July 22. The forecast predicts a minor geomagnetic storm, measured at a value of G1. Geomagnetic storms are ranked from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme), with G1 storms producing auroras that are visible at higher latitudes like northern Michigan and Maine. The NOAA also predicts that the Kp index will reach a peak of 5. The Kp Index is a numeric scale, ranging from 0 to 9, that measures geomagnetic activity. According to NOAA, higher Kp values increase the likelihood of seeing auroras at lower latitudes. Because of these conditions, 14 states have a chance of spotting the aurora borealis tonight, including, Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The geomagnetic conditions, which are caused by a stream of solar wind emanating from a coronal hole in the sun's outer atmosphere, are expected to persist through Thursday, according to NOAA. Areas far from light pollution are likely to offer the best views. Also, you'll want to head out during astronomical twilight—when the sky is dark enough that faint stars and celestial objects become visible—to spot the northern lights. Check to see when your area will experience this period. Read the original article on Martha Stewart Solve the daily Crossword
