Topline
The Northern Lights may be visible in several continental U.S. states Monday night after a strong solar flare caused solar eruptions over the weekend, which are expected to cause some aurora sightings in northern and Midwestern states. (UPDATE: Here’s a forecast for Wednesday.)
VIK, SOUTH ICELAND: Aurora Borealis spectacular view of the Northern Lights in the sky over Hotel ... [+]
Key Facts
Monday night’s aurora has a Kp index five, meaning there will be more activity as the lights become brighter and “quite pleasing to look at” if weather conditions are optimal, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This comes after a strong G3 geomagnetic storm caused Sunday’s aurora to have a Kp index of seven; NOAA warned the storm could also affect radio frequencies, GPS connections and false alarms on some protection devices.
The storm was caused by a solar X flare—an eruption of energy—that peaked Saturday, which led to an aurora-causing coronal mass ejection (or an explosion of solar material) to affect Earth Sunday and Monday.
Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
Though it’s hard to tell where the Northern Lights will show up, they may be the most visible Monday night in Canada and Alaska, according to NOAA (see image below). However, continental U.S. states within the aurora’s view line include Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Monday night's view line.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
The lights are typically the most active between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. For the best views of the Northern Lights, the agency advises traveling as close to the poles as possible, avoiding city lights and other light pollution, monitoring weather forecasts for prime viewing conditions and finding a position on a vantage point like a hilltop.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
Smartphone cameras are sensitive enough to pick up the aurora, even when it’s invisible to the naked eye. Visit Iceland, a tourist website for Iceland, where the lights are often visible, advises turning on night mode to best increase smartphone camera exposure.
Key Background
Solar Cycle 25—the cycle the sun goes through around every 11 years—has been the cause of geomagnetic storms that have resulted in recent sightings of the Northern Lights, and NASA predicts it will continue on into next year. Cycle 25 began in Dec. 2019, and it’s estimated it will reach its maximum—when activity is expected to peak—between late 2024 and early 2026. It’s projected to peak with 115 sunspots, which are where geomagnetic storms originate. Although the maximum hasn’t happened yet, the sun’s activity has been busier than scientists anticipated, so it’s possible there will be even more geomagnetic storms leading up to 2026, though it’s difficult to predict exactly when these storms will occur.