Seeing the northern lights is one of life’s little gifts. For those who have been lucky enough to catch them before, you’ll know just how magical it is.
If you haven’t had the chance yet, tonight might just be your moment. A strong geomagnetic storm is set to light up the skies across parts of North America, giving hopeful stargazers the perfect opportunity to catch the northern lights tonight, according to a prediction from the Space Weather Prediction Center. So grab a blanket, find a dark spot, look north, and keep your fingers crossed.
When are the northern lights peaking?
Tonight, Sept. 2, the northern lights are expected to reach their peak visibility in North America. A geomagnetic storm classified as “strong” was forecast by the Space Weather Prediction Center.
The geomagnetic activity is measured by the planetary K index, also known as Kp. Activity is measured between 0 to 9 – the higher the activity, the more likely it is to be seen from the United States, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center. The activity is measured at a Kp of 5, which means the northern lights move even further from the poles and become bright and active, even in the north of the United States.
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Where will the northern lights be visible?
According to maps from the Space Weather Prediction Center, Canada and Alaska are most likely to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon. There is a slight chance – but not a guarantee – that the aurora borealis will be visible in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan.
What causes the northern lights?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are natural light displays that appear in the night sky, usually near the poles. According to NASA, they occur when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating shimmering colors of green, pink, and purple that dance across the sky.
Viewing tips for the northern lights
When it comes to seeing the northern lights, so much is down to luck, but there are things you can do to help increase your chances. Firstly, head somewhere dark away from light pollution.
If you’re unsure whether you’re seeing the northern lights, try taking a picture of the sky with your phone, which can capture a wider wavelength of light than the human eye, according to Lifehacker. Both Mashable and Lifehacker are owned by Ziff Davis.
