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    Which US States Can See Aurora Borealis?

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    A new geomagnetic storm means another chance for some lucky Americans to witness the Northern Lights this week, after the second largest solar flare of the current cycle was observed on Tuesday.

    The colorful phenomenon known as the aurora borealis is expected to be visible in some areas Thursday evening into the weekend after two observed coronal mass ejections on Tuesday, including the massive Atmospheric Administration. Center.

    The center issued geomagnetic storm warnings covering minor, moderate and strong levels, predicting that the Northern Lights will be present in the sky.

    Last week, the center predicted the aurora would be visible in the Northwestern US and some Midwestern states as greenish and reddish hues become more common.

    In May, a powerful geomagnetic storm unleashed spectacular views of the Northern Lights in U.S. areas where aurorae are not often visible. The storm also led to some reports of power grid irregularities and interference with GPS signals and agricultural equipment.

    Where will the Northern Lights be visible?

    The aurora is expected to be visible in several northern U.S. states from October 3 to 5, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.

    Sightings are forecast along the U.S.-Canada border, as well as as far south as Oregon to Pennsylvania, the center said. The best time to view the auroras is on Friday, October 4 from approximately midnight local time until the early hours of Saturday, October 5.

    The center said external variables could affect the reliability of the forecast, including the precise trajectory of the solar eruption, which could change during the 93 million miles (150 million kilometers) journey to Earth.

    “This forecast is associated with a significant degree of uncertainty because initial space weather predictions rely on remote and limited solar observations,” the center said in a statement to USA TODAY on Wednesday. “Auroras can be unpredictable and wax and wane rapidly. Visibility can range from bright and relatively high in the sky to dim and low on the northern horizon (perhaps only visible in long exposure camera views), or not visible at all.”

    Why are Northern Lights more common?

    People around Earth can expect more frequent and brighter northern lights to grace the sky as the sun approaches the peak of its eleven-year cycle, making electromagnetic activity more common.

    NASA said the sun is expected to reach the peak of solar cycle 25 in 2025.

    According to NOAA, sunspots should increase in areas of intense magnetic activity by then. When that magnetic activity is released, it creates intense bursts of radiation that result in solar flares – considered by NASA to be the largest explosive event in our solar system.

    Solar flares emit radiation, usually in the form of ultraviolet light and X-rays, that can travel toward Earth at the speed of light. Some of these outbursts may be accompanied by coronal mass ejections, or clouds of plasma and charged particles, emerging from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona.

    These emissions can collide with Earth’s magnetosphere, the barrier that protects humanity from the harshest effects of space weather, and create geomagnetic storms.

    What causes the auroras?

    The auroras are a display of natural light in Earth’s sky and are best seen in high latitude areas of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

    The phenomenon is caused when electrically charged particles from space enter Earth’s atmosphere and collide with molecules and gases such as oxygen and nitrogen, causing the atmospheric particles to gain energy. To return to their normal state, the particles release that energy in the form of light, according to the website of the University of Alaska Geophysical Institute at Fairbanks, which tracks the phenomenon.

    As auroras form, Earth’s magnetic field sends the particles toward the poles through a process that produces a stunning display of beams, spirals and flickers that have fascinated people for thousands of years. Whether shades of green, red, blue and pink dance in the sky depends on the altitude at which the collisions occur, as well as the composition and density of the atmosphere at that time.

    What are the best places to see the Northern Lights?

    The aurorae are best seen around the magnetic poles of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres in places like Europe, Asia and North America. In the US, Alaska is known for having the best viewing opportunities for the Northern Lights.

    Although conditions are favorable for more impending aurora shows, experts have long struggled to accurately predict when and where the phenomenon will ever occur. Even the best predictions can be made accurately only a few days or even hours in advance.

    And if it looks like the Northern Lights are flaring up near you, it’s advisable to leave the cities and travel to dark locations that are free of light pollution. According to NOAA, in clear weather the best aurora is usually visible within an hour or two after midnight.

    However, NOAA does maintain an aurora dashboard that allows skygazers to monitor the phenomenon.

    When can you see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

    The Northern Lights can appear day or night in Iceland all year round, but it’s best to start looking at the sky a few hours before midnight, according to Visit Island.

    The best time of year to observe the Northern Lights is between September and April, according to the guidebook.

    Can you see the Northern Lights with the naked eye?

    Northern Lights can be viewed safely without a telescope or microscope. The visibility of the aurora depends on several factors: location, weather, time of night and the degree of geomagnetic activity present.

    Anthony Robledo covers the latest and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]

    Eric Lagatta covers the latest and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]

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