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    • Will Iowa get Northern Lights tonight?
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    Will Iowa get Northern Lights tonight?

    Vaseline Posted on

    For the second time in October, Iowans will have a chance to see the Northern Lights, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports.

    A rapid coronal ejection occurred on Tuesday, which is an eruption of solar material and the sun’s magnetic fields. This caused a “severe” G4 solar storm that will lead to very increased geomagnetic activity, making watches at this level “very rare,” NOAA said. The aurora could be visible as far south as Alabama and northern California.

    So how can you attend the Iowa solar show?

    Northern Lights forecast: when will the Northern Lights be visible?

    According to NOAA, the Northern Lights can be seen on Thursday and Friday evenings.

    When can I see the Northern Lights in Iowa?

    Historically, the best time to see the lights is between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM

    Iowa has the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights on Thursday, with the state completely covered by the image line. The northern lights could be visible from northern Iowa on Friday, but the chances are slim, according to NOAA.

    Avoid areas with light pollution that obscures vision. The Dark Sky Map shows the areas in Iowa with the most and least light pollution.

    What will the weather be like in Des Moines for the Northern Lights?

    According to the National Weather Service, clear skies are forecast in Des Moines Thursday night with a low of 57 degrees. Friday evening is expected to be mostly cloudy, making Thursday the best day to get outside and see the aurora.

    How do you take pictures of the aurora?

    The best way to take photos of the Northern Lights on a smartphone is to adjust the exposure time and enable night mode, according to USA TODAY.

    Iowans snapped a photo of the latest aurora and are sharing their tips

    Pete Raine shared his unedited photo of the Northern Lights on Facebook on October 4. His view was from his own home in Fairview, Iowa. He took the photo with an iPhone 14.

    Raine said that although the aurora was visible with his naked eye, it was much more vivid through his phone’s camera.

    Other members of the Facebook group, Iowa Through The Lens, recommended a ten-second exposure, available on the iPhone 16 pro. Several members of the group reported seeing the Northern Lights in Iowa all week.

    My Aurora Forecast & Alerts, an app available on iPhone and Android, informs you about Northern Lights near you and provides tips for the best viewing.

    Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

    Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.

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