Northern Lights may Be Visible across Nine U.S. States Tonight
October 24, 2023 - A moderate geomagnetic storm triggered by recent solar activity could bring the aurora borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, to skies across nine U.S. states tonight. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Governance (NOAA) are predicting a Kp index of four for Tuesday night, meaning the lights have a moderate chance of appearing brighter with more “motions and formations.”
The potential display is linked to coronal mass ejections – significant releases of plasma from the sun – detected on October 3rd. while the predicted storm is minor, a G1 out of five on NOAA’s storm strength scale, it’s enough to expand the visibility of the aurora further south than usual.
Where to Look:
NOAA forecasters say the aurora could be visible in parts of:
* Northern washington
* Northern Idaho
* Montana
* North Dakota
* South Dakota (parts of)
* Minnesota (northern parts)
* Wisconsin (northern parts)
* Michigan (northern parts)
* Alaska (most of the state)
Tips for Viewing:
To maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, experts recommend traveling north, away from city lights, and finding a clear view of the northern horizon. The most active viewing hours are typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
Photographing the Aurora:
For those hoping to capture the display, National Geographic recommends using a tripod to stabilize equipment during long exposures. A wide-angle lens or a lens with an aperture of 4.0 or lower is ideal for cameras. Smartphone users should disable flash and utilize night mode for best results.
Understanding Coronal Mass Ejections:
Coronal mass ejections are more powerful than typical solar winds. When this material interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, it can cause geomagnetic storms. While a G1 storm like the one predicted can cause minor impacts on satellites and potentially weak fluctuations in power grids, it primarily offers the chance to witness the spectacular display of the Northern Lights in a wider range of locations.
