Topline
The Northern Lights may be visible in several northern and Midwestern states again Friday as the sun approaches the peak of its solar cycle, which is the cause of increased aurora activity.
The blinking lights of a plane streak through the aurora borealis, also known as the northern … [+]
Key Facts
Friday night’s aurora has a Kp index of three, 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 solar X flare—an eruption of energy—peaked over the weekend, and led to an aurora-causing coronal mass ejection (or an explosion of solar material) that affected Earth earlier this week.
The strong geomagnetic storms earlier this week—which were as high as severe G4 storms—caused the Northern Lights to make appearances as far south as Mississippi, Texas, Arizona and southern parts of California.
Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
Though it’s hard to estimate where the Northern Lights will show up, they may be the most visible Friday night in Canada and Alaska, according to NOAA (see image below). However, continental U.S. states within the aurora’s view line include Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Friday night’s aurora 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.
