Topline
More U.S. states may get another chance to see the Northern Lights after a severe G4 geomagnetic storm caused the lights to be seen as far south as Texas and Mississippi on Monday.
DNIPRO, UKRAINE – MAY 11: The aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, are visible on … [+]
Key Facts
Wednesday night’s aurora has a Kp index of three, which means 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 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.
Monday night’s G4 storm was one of the most severe solar storms the continental U.S. has seen since May’s dazzling G5 light show, where the aurora was seen as low as the South.
The storms were 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.
Solar activity has been unusually busy in recent months as the sun’s 11-year solar cycle approaches its anticipated peak between late 2024 and early 2026, with sunspots expected to intensify over the next year, and likely triggering more geomagnetic storms.
Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
Though it’s difficult to pinpoint where the Northern Lights will show up, they may be the most visible Wednesday 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, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Wednesday 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, NOAA 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.
