The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible tonight in parts of the upper Midwest due to a minor geomagnetic storm.
The Space Weather Forecasting Center (SWPC) has issued a warning after a coronal mass ejection (CME) of the sun on June 25.
What causes the Northern Lights?
The northern Lights occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, creating a mesmerizing light show. This phenomenon is often caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are large bursts of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona.
According to NASACMEs are “huge bubbles of coronal plasma, crossed by intense magnetic field lines, ejected from the Sun over the course of several hours.” When these eruptions reach Earth, they can cause geomagnetic storms, resulting in the Northern Lights.
When a CME When it arrives at Earth, it can compress the magnetosphere, the area around our planet that is dominated by Earth’s magnetic field. This compression activates particles trapped in the magnetosphere, causing them to collide with Earth’s atmosphere.
These clashes are stimulating atmospheric gaseswhich leads to the emission of light that we perceive as the Northern Lights. The colors of the auroras are determined by the type of gas involved in the collisions: oxygen produces green and red light, while nitrogen produces blue and purple hues.
Geomagnetic storms are classified as G1 (small) to G5 (extreme) based on their intensity. The current forecast for a G1 storm indicates a relatively mild event, but still has the potential to produce visible aurora under the right conditions.
Where are the aurora visible?
The Northern Lights may be faintly visible in several states in the northern United States tonight and tomorrow. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)the potential viewing areas Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, VermontAnd Maine.
The visibility of the auroras depends on several factors, including the strength of the geomagnetic storm, local weather conditions and levels of light pollution. For the best chances of seeing the auroras, residents of these states should seek out dark, rural areas, away from city lights and with a clear view of the northern horizon.
Best practices for viewing the Northern Lights
To maximize the chance of the northern Lights, it is recommended to go to locations with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view of the northern horizon. The best time to watch is generally between 10pm and 2am, when the aurora are most active.
Smartphone cameras can be surprisingly effective at capturing the northern lightseven if they are dim or not easily visible to the naked eye. By using the night mode on your camera, you can increase the exposure and increase the chances of capturing the light show. Additionally, you can increase the chances of a successful sighting by keeping an eye on local weather forecasts for clear skies.
Future aurora activity
Solar activity has been remarkably high recently, which is attributed to the Sun approaching the peak of its eleven-year solar cycle, also known as Solar cycle 25expected to peak between late 2024 and early 2026. This increased activity means more frequent geomagnetic storms and Aurora displays are likely in the coming years.
Solar Cycle 25 began in December 2019 and has already seen higher than expected sunspot activity, a primary driver of geomagnetic storms. As the cycle approaches its maximum, the chances of seeing the Northern Lights at more southerly latitudes will increase, giving stargazers more opportunities to enjoy this natural spectacle.
Keep space weather updates from the SWPC for the latest information about visibility of the northern lights and other space weather events. With the right conditions, tonight could be a perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of the Northern Lights.
