The "severe" solar storm will bring northern lights to 14 states this evening - how to see them

It could be your chance to catch the Aurora Borealis without having to travel.


Astronomy fans and stargazers have had a lot to hope for this year. In addition to Recent lunar eclipse , there has also been a single comet observation, and the next Total solar eclipse should attract millions of viewers. But we could also be in another last -minute treat because a "severe" solar storm should put the lights from the North in sight up to 14 states this evening. Read the rest to know how to see them.

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Parties of the United States may have an overview of the Northern Lights this evening.

silhouette of five people looking up at northern lights
Wit.siri / Shutterstock

Some people travel far in the hope of seeing Aurora Borealis. But tonight, some parts of the United States could get their own spectacle when the North Lights appear in the sky.

On March 24, the oceanic meteorological prediction center and the national atmospheric (NOAA) (SWPC) published an alert for a severe "geomagnetic storm after observing a Large coronal mass ejection (CME) The day before, USA today reports. The event has reached A designation "G4" At the agency scale, which is the second higher possible.

The first waves of the flow of loaded solar particles began to strike our planet on Sunday, bringing potential observations in the 48 lower states. SWPC forecasts provide that these conditions will continue until Monday evening.

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The conditions are currently optimal to see the Aurora on Earth.

A close up of the sun during a solar storm eurption
Remotevfx.com/Shutterstock

Large CMEs like the one that occurred during the weekend is not completely rare. According to NASA, they occur when Large plasma thrusts Escape from the surface of the sun, sometimes at the time of a solar thrust. But while eruptions - which scientists describe as resembling giant pieces of twisted rope - can cause disturbances with radio equipment, communication systems and electrical networks, it was unlikely that this important event would have an impact on daily life.

"The public should not anticipate the unfavorable impacts, and no action is necessary, but they should remain properly informed of the progression of the storm by visiting our web page," wrote the SWPC in its alert on March 24, by Fox time.

Currently, the sun has become more active because of its position in The solar cycle . Scientists believe that the sun is reaching the peak of the expected activity, which could increase the number of these events for the coming years, by Noaa.

The last CME is also online with the Recent spring equinox . Due to its slight inclination and the placement of its magnetic poles, the positioning of the earth is started to receive loaded particles and improve the aurora, reports Space.com. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

In relation: Here are how much the total solar eclipse you can see in your region .

More than a dozen states are in the potential observation zone this evening.

red and green northern lights
Mats Lindberg / Shutterstock

Exchange conditions can make geomagnetic storms notoriously difficult to follow and predict. But according to the Current SWPC forecasts , people of 14 states could see the northern lights this evening.

The Aurora View line is slightly lower than that usually, covering Alaska and some of the northern areas at the bottom 48. The list includes Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. In the northeast, northern New York, northern Vermont, northern New Hampshire and Maine are also in the visualization range.

There are some tips to keep in mind during the campsite to see the northern lights.

Northern Lights in Norway
Mumées / Shutterstock

Even when the orbital conditions align, obtaining a good view of the Northern Enlightenment can also be summed up in your local time. But if you hope to see them by yourself, there is a Little to remember This could facilitate the task.

As with any star experience, the best place to look at the night sky to the Northern Lights is far from all the brilliant cities or cities with light pollution that can drown the view, says SWPC. It can also help get a good point of view with a certain elevation and a clear view of the north horizon.

According to the agency, the best moments to see the Aurora are generally within two hours of local time at midnight at 10 p.m. Until 2 am the main vision window. However, it is important to remember that they can appear at any time once it is dark enough to see them.

And if you worry, you may not be able to see them tonight, don't worry. Experts say you may not have to wait too long Another opportunity .

"We are in this favorable period at the moment - it's maximum solar, we see these eruptions, and we will see much more in the coming years before starting to finish by 2029 or 2030", " Bill Murtagh , program coordinator with the SWPC, says Los Angeles Times .


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