Skywatchers via the northern US could be on Tuesday evening on June 24 and Wednesday (June 25), because Aurora Borealis – commonly known as northern lights – can rarely be in more than a dozen states.
According to the Center of Space Weather Prediction NOAA (SWPC), the stream of solar wind is expected to trigger G1 to G2 (smaller to medium) geomagnetic storms from the coronal opening in the sun. These storms could move the auroral oval further south than usual, allowing Americans in the states deep below the Canadian border to potentially see dance lights.
Tracking time: 1 am Local
The best time to observe Auroras will be around 1 in the morning local time when the sky will be on their darkest. Observers are encouraged to go away from urban lights and look towards the northern horizon for the best chance to see the phenomenon.
States with the best viewing potential
The latest forecast Noaa suggests that 14 US states, along with most Canada, fall just just below the expected line Aurora View. These states, which were roughly placed on the basis of probability based on the proximity of Auroral oval, include: Alaska, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, New York and South Dakota.
While Alaska is most likely to have a full light show, the inhabitants in the northern part of New York, Oregon and South Dakota can also capture along the horizon of the shining Aurora.
KP Index to 5.67: What does it mean
The aurora prognosis is based on the KP index, which measures geomagnetic activity on a scale of 0 to 9. The index is assumed that it will reach a peak of 5.67 tonight, which is firmly stated on the storm area G2. This level of activity usually brings Auroras well to the northern US and southern Canada.
Viewing tips
Find a place with a clear look at the northern sky
Stay away from urban lights and urban glow
Be patient – auroras may come in waves or unexpectedly blink
Bring a tripod if you take pictures and set long exposures
Unpredictable but magical
Aurory can be very unpredictable. Even under ideal conditions, they may seem weak, arrived later than expected, or skip whole regions. They can stretch further south than the supposed, surprising observers in unexpected places.
What are northern lights or Aurora borealis?
Northern lights, also known as Aurora borealis, are natural light displays that appear in the night sky, usually in areas with high width near Arctic (and Aurora Australis near Antarctica). These shining waves of green, pink, purple or red light can dance in the sky in spectacular samples.
What causes northern lights?
Aurora is created by interactions between charged particles from the Sun and the magnetic field and atmosphere of the Earth. This is how it works:
Solar wind
The sun constantly emits the stream of charged particles (electrons and protons), known as the solar wind.
The interaction of the magnetosphere
When these particles reach the ground, they encounter its magnetic field that protects us by diverting most of the solar wind. Near the poles, however, the curve of field parts and allow some particles to enter.
When these particles enter the upper atmosphere (mainly over 80 km or 50 miles), they collide with gas atoms such as oxygen and nitrogen.
These collisions are excited by gas atoms, and when they return to their normal state, they release energy like light – that’s what we see as northern lights.
Why different colors?
Green: most common; caused by oxygen about 100-300 km above the ground.
Red: rare, also from oxygen, but at higher altitudes.
Blue/purple: nitrogen molecules.
(Tagstotranslate) forecast of northern lights (T) aurora borealis
