Latest news with #coronalmass ejection
Forbes
2 days ago
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Alert: These 8 States May See Aurora Borealis Friday
Some northern U.S. states might have an opportunity to see the northern lights Friday, and a recent coronal mass ejection will likely bring the phenomenon to more areas this weekend, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A recent coronal mass ejection may pull the northern lights to more states this weekend, forecasters ... More said. Auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Friday night, suggesting the northern lights will be brighter and more active away from the poles, according to NOAA's projections. Friday night's forecast may increase through early Saturday morning to a Kp index of nearly four, improving NOAA's projections to suggest the aurora borealis could be visible in parts of South Dakota and Maine, the agency's three-day forecast suggests. A Kp index of nearly five is expected for Saturday night, as the 'influences' of a coronal mass ejection emitted from the sun on June 4 will likely disrupt the Earth's geomagnetic field, NOAA said. The northern lights have the highest chance of visibility across Canada and Alaska, while a lesser opportunity is forecast in parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, northern Minnesota, North Dakota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. (See map below.) Friday night's view line. It's best to travel to an unobstructed, north-facing and high vantage point between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to NOAA. With a regular camera, NASA recommends setting up with a tripod, 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. If using a smartphone, NASA said it's best to disable flash and enable night mode. Projections from NASA and NOAA suggest northern lights displays will be more visible in more U.S. states through early 2026, after activity on the sun's surface achieved a 'solar maximum' last year. This peak coincides with increased solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which are responsible for auroral activity and geomagnetic activity in the Earth's atmosphere. Electrons from these events collide with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen, causing them to become 'excited' before releasing the colorful, swirling lights of the aurora borealis.
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: Here's Where Aurora Borealis May Appear Friday Amid Geomagnetic Storm
A recent coronal mass ejection may bring the northern lights to some states along the Canadian border on Friday, and it's possible more areas could see the phenomenon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Forecasters said a recent coronal mass ejection and high-speed winds from a spot on the sun's ... More surface may disrupt Earth's magnetic field. The NOAA forecast a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Friday night, suggesting the northern lights will move away from the poles and be 'quite pleasing to look at' for people in the right areas. Minor geomagnetic storm conditions are 'likely' on Friday because of high-speed winds from a cooler, less dense spot on the sun's surface and a 'possible glancing blow' coronal mass ejection from May 5, NOAA said. An upgraded forecast for increased auroral activity is also expected, according to NOAA's three-day outlook, which suggests Friday's Kp index could rise to nearly five, meaning parts of South Dakota, Maine and other states could have a chance to see the northern lights. 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. Parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan are above the view line and will likely have a lower chance of seeing the phenomenon. Alaska and most of Canada will have a higher likelihood. (See map below.) The northern lights peak between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. and are best seen while at a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution, according to NOAA. With a regular camera, a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting are recommended for capturing the northern lights, photography experts told National Geographic. A smartphone with night mode enabled and flash turned off is also suggested, NOAA said. The strongest geomagnetic storm in the last two decades disrupted Earth's magnetic field in May 2024, bringing the northern lights to Texas and Florida, according to NASA. This preceded activity on the sun's surface achieving a 'solar maximum,' or a peak in the sun's 11-year cycle that features a rise in solar events like coronal mass ejections and solar flares. A peak will likely persist into early 2026, scientists from NOAA and NASA said, suggesting the northern lights will continue being more visible to more people. The colorful, swirling displays of the aurora borealis are created from these events, as electrons interact with oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere before becoming 'excited.' Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 (Forbes)
