Photos show northern lights visible in night sky across much of US
— Tyler Leavitt owner of tslclick.com (@tslclick)
NORTHERN LIGHTS tonight! reminder for 🇨🇦 & 27 🇺🇸 states, as far south as Alabama 😳
They are worth seeing, never know when you'll be able to next!
I saw last night
— Tomahawk (@Oskth04)
We could see the Northern lights (aurora borealis) from the Grand Teton National Park.
A massive geomagnetic storm fueled by an ongoing coronal mass ejection brought the lights to much of the northern U.S. over the weekend.
— Gage Goulding - KPRC 2 (@GageGoulding)
Northern lights 6/1/2025
— Brian Morris (@BsauceSays)
Julia Capraro can be reached at
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Northern lights forecast: See projected aurora map for July 23
Some areas in Alaska and Canada could see a show in the night sky on July 23, while chances of catching the aurora in the northern contiguous U.S are lower. Parts of nearly a dozen states along the northern tier of the U.S. have a low chance of seeing aurora borealis due to minor geomagnetic activity, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. NOAA predicted a geomagnetic K-index of 4 for Wednesday, July 23. That lowers its previous projection of a K-index of 5, which would have indicated a minor solar energy event. The K-index measures geomagnetic activity and indicates how far away from the poles the northern lights could be visible, according to NOAA. A Kp score between 3-5 indicates brighter and increased activity, per NOAA. The natural phenomenon, which is formally known as the aurora borealis, can project colorful lights in the night sky thanks to an interaction between the sun's plasma and earth's magnetic field, according to the National Weather Service. When could the northern lights be visible? The aurora is not visible during the daylight hours, and is usually seen just after sunset or just before sunrise, according to NOAA. The best aurora is usually within an hour or two of midnight, according to the agency. Where could the northern lights be visible? See map Parts of 10 states are within NOAA's forecasted "view line" for the northern lights on July 23. The view line indicates the southernmost point where the aurora could be seen on the northern horizon. Parts of the following states are located within NOAA's forecasted aurora view line: Alaska Washington Idaho Montana North Dakota South Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Maine Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Northern lights forecast: Map shows where aurora could be seen July 23 Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: These 10 States May See Aurora Borealis Wednesday
Topline A selection of states in the northern U.S. may have an opportunity to view the northern lights on Wednesday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. AFP via Getty Images Key Facts A Kp index of four on a scale of nine was forecast by NOAA for Wednesday night, meaning the northern lights may appear brighter and be more active farther from the poles. Wednesday's auroral forecast follows a period of 'minor' to 'moderate' geomagnetic storms late Tuesday and early Wednesday, though similar geomagnetic activity is not forecast for Wednesday night, according to NOAA. Calmer auroral activity is forecast through Friday night, NOAA's three-day forecast suggests, with a maximum Kp index of three and just over two projected for Friday and Saturday nights, respectively. Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible? Northern Canada and Alaska will have a higher likelihood of viewing the northern lights, once the sun sets in the state. A lesser chance is forecast for parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Maine. (See map below.) NOAA What's The Best Way To See The Northern Lights? It's recommended to travel to a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution sometime between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to NOAA. What's The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights? If using a regular camera, it's best to use a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting, photography experts told National Geographic. NOAA also recommends using a tripod to stabilize the image, and if using a smartphone, to disable flash and enable night mode. Key Background The northern lights have been increasingly visible in recent months after activity on the sun's surface reached a 'solar maximum.' This peak, occurring throughout the sun's 11-year cycle, corresponds with a rise in solar events like coronal mass ejections and solar flares. These events are largely responsible for creating aurora borealis, as molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere collide with electrons, causing them to become 'excited' before releasing colorful, swirling displays. A recent peak in activity is projected to persist through early 2026, according to estimates from NOAA and NASA. Further Reading Forbes Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Northern Lights On Tuesday: 14 U.S. States On Aurora Alert
Aurora borealis, also known as Northern Lights, illuminates the night sky above the Kellostapuli ... More Fell in Kolari, Finnish Lapland, early on January 15, 2022. (Photo by IRENE STACHON/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images) The Northern Lights may be visible in northern U.S. state and central Canada on Tuesday night, according to a forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. Sky-watchers in 14 U.S. states may have a chance to see the aurora borealis on the northern horizon as soon as it gets dark, though astronomical twilight often persists much of the night above about 50 degrees north latitude in July. Latest Northern Lights Forecast The agency's three-day forecast indicates a minor geomagnetic storm, measured at a value of G1 on a scale of G1 to G5. According to NOAA's forecast, the Kp index — which provides a rough guide to the intensity of auroral displays — may reach 5. In a discussion post, NOAA officials stated that a G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm is most likely on July 23 UTC, which translates to late on July 22 for North America. The 'unsettled to active' geomagnetic conditions — minor disturbances in Earth's magnetic field — could continue through Thursday, according to NOAA. NOAA's aurora viewline for July 22, 2025. Where The Northern Lights May Be Visible NOAA's latest aurora viewlines indicate that aurora displays are a possibility in northern U.S. states and Canada, with 14 U.S. states having a chance after dark on Tuesday, July 22. U.S. states that may see aurora include (northerly parts of) Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Areas far from light pollution are likely to offer the best views. However, high-latitude locations — such as Alaska, northern Canada Scandinavia and Iceland — will have a better chance. Check NOAA's 30-minute forecast or use the Glendale App for the latest forecasts. Why The Northern Lights Are Being Seen In The U.S. The imminent potential display of aurora is due to a high-speed stream of solar wind coming from a coronal hole — a gap in the sun's outer atmosphere, its corona, where solar wind escapes more freely into space. It's also of 'negative polarity,' which means its magnetic field is orientated in such a way that interactions with Earth's magnetic field are enhanced, if aligned just right. More generally, the possibility of displays of the aurora borealis at more southerly latitudes than is typically down to an increase in solar activity, which is currently at a 23-year high due to the ongoing solar maximum period. The sun is now thought to be on the wane, having peaked in late 2024, but solar maximum periods often have double peaks. Besides, the best aurora displays often occur in the few years after solar maximum. If the current solar cycle does have a long tail, good aurora sightings in the U.S. could result for a few years. What Causes The Northern Lights The Northern Lights are caused by the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth's magnetic field. Although the magnetic field deflects much of it, some charged particles accelerate along the magnetic field lines toward the polar regions, where they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, exciting them and causing them to release energy as light. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
