The top line
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the effects of a coronal mass ejection — a bubble of plasma that erupts from the sun’s surface — will likely affect the Earth’s magnetic field on Saturday, causing severe thunderstorms in several North American states. The lights will come on.
An earlier coronal mass injection could bring the northern lights to more states.
Key facts
A KP index of four on a scale of nine was forecast for Saturday night. According to To NOAA, Meaning The Northern Lights will brighten up, highlight more movement and formations and be “quite a sight to behold” for those in the right areas.
NOAA said a minor or larger geomagnetic storm is expected after the arrival of the Coronal Mass Ejection from the Sun on January 2. can do This results in some fluctuations in the power grid and affects migratory animals.
According to NOAA’s three-day forecast, auroral activity is expected to weaken through Monday, although auroral activity is possible in some states on Sunday. Prophecy.
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 or sign up for “Alerts” at (201) 335-0739. Here.
Where will the Northern Lights be seen?
A wave line — which marks the least chance of seeing the trend — dips just below the Canadian border. Most of northern Canada and Alaska are more likely than other North American states, although areas of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, northeastern Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and upper Michigan are less likely. . The northern lights are even less likely to be seen in parts of northern South Dakota, northern Maine, and northern Michigan. (See Waveline below.)
Saturday Night Wave Line.
What is the best way to see the Northern Lights?
The northern lights are best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to NOAA, which recommends traveling to an elevated location away from light pollution.
What is the best way to photograph the Northern Lights?
If using a regular camera, National Geographic Recommends Using a wide-angle lens, set the high ISO value and focus to the highest possible setting. NOAA says a smartphone can capture auroral activity if night mode is enabled.
Key background
According to NASA, May featured some of the strongest northern lights in the last 500 years, following what the agency called the strongest magnetic storm to reach Earth in two decades. That event, and a similar geographic event in October, drew the northern lights as far south as Texas and northern Florida. According to NASA, Northern Lights visibility will continue to increase through 2025 after activity on the Sun’s surface reached a “solar maximum” late last year. Activity is measured over an 11-year period while waxing and waning, achieving a “solar maximum” and “solar minimum” due to events such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections responsible for auroral activity. are Electrons from coronal mass ejections interact with nitrogen and oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere, causing the atoms and molecules of these gases to become “excited” and emit tiny particles of light.
Further reading
