Aurora Borealis Alert: 21 states could marvel at the dazzling northern lights tonight

Remember that dazzling night in May 2024, when the aurora borealis lit up states that had never seen its colorful glow? Some of us have been chasing that natural wonder ever since.

now, The sun is at its maximum solar levelMany may get their chance to see the northern lights again. Late Thursday night and early Friday morning, a moderate-strength magnetic storm affects Earth’s magnetic field, making the aurora visible in 21 states.

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According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the aurora borealis will be visible in Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. Those with a high enough vantage point facing north should also be able to see it in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wyoming and Vermont. Alaskans and Canadians will have the best view.

This is just a prediction the afterglow could be stronger or weaker depending on how things go. If you’re just south of any of these states, it might be helpful to know if aurora is reaching you.

This storm is a continuation of the storm that struck the United States on Wednesday night, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) initially predicted as a G2 geomagnetic storm but eventually classified as a geomagnetic storm. G3 storm stronger.

Both storms are coming From a pair of X-class coronal mass ejections, or explosions of solar material and magnetic fields shot toward Earth by the Sun on November 4. top labelso these ejaculations were very large.

Tips for viewing the northern lights

The methods for viewing the aurora are straightforward.

You’ll need to stay away from the city and suburbs as much as possible to reduce light pollution. Next, you’ll need to climb as high as possible and then head north.

Northern states in the U.S. will have the best visibility, but states further south in the forecast area may still see something if it’s high enough and it’s dark enough outside.

Avoiding light pollution can be difficult because the moon is about to be full. The aurora borealis may descend along the southern edges of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast area.

If you decide to venture out, you also have a very good chance of spotting a shooting star since there are four active meteor showers at the moment, including the Orionids, Leonids, Northern Taurids, and Southern Taurids. Three meteor showers It is scheduled to reach its peak in November.