Topline
Multiple states across the northern United States may have a chance at seeing the northern lights Thursday night, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The sky is filled with colour from the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, at St ... More
Key Facts
The forecast for the aurora borealis Thursday night has a Kp index of four on a scale of nine, meaning the aurora will move further from the poles and become brighter with more activity, making it “quite pleasing to look at,” according to NOAA.
The northern lights become visible as a result of geomagnetic activity, which leads ions to collide with atmospheric gasses from Earth, creating visible displays.
The appearance of the aurora will likely drop off later in the week, though it was forecast to be visible in about 15 states Wednesday night into Thursday and hit a Kp index of 6.33 due to a minor-moderate geomagnetic storm.
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Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible Tonight?
The northern lights are expected to be visible in Alaska and Canada Thursday night, and the viewline also covers parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine. (See map below.)
Tonight's aurora forecast.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
To see the northern lights, NOAA recommends getting to an unobstructed, north-facing vantage point away from city lights. The best time to see the aurora is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, which is when geomagnetic activity can be highest.
How Can You Photograph The Northern Lights?
If you’re trying to capture the northern lights on a smartphone camera, use night mode and lower the shutter speed to have the best chance at capturing the lights’ movement.
Key Background
The northern lights have been increasingly visible throughout the U.S. lately as the sun has achieved its “solar maximum,” which happens at the peak of its 11-year cycle. It hit the “solar maximum” in October, but scientists have said the period of strong geomagnetic activity could continue for about a year. Forecasts have been particularly strong lately, with geomagnetic storms causing Kp indices to hit 6 or higher, leading to situations in which nearly half of the states in the U.S. were in the viewline of the aurora.
Further Reading
Northern Lights Forecast: ‘Strong’ Geomagnetic Storm May Bring Aurora Borealis To These 15 States (Forbes)
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