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
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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Michigan among states that could glimpse northern lights. See map
Much of Michigan could see the northern lights on July 26, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) forecast. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible in as many as 14 northern states tonight, according to NOAA's SWPC dashboard. According to NOAA, "view lines" Michiganders as far south as Grand Rapids, Lansing and Port Huron may be able to catch a glimpse of the shimmering lights in the night sky to the north. The lights could be overhead for people in parts of the Upper Peninsula. NOAA says a G1 geomagnetic storm, a worldwide disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field, is expected to produce a Kp rating of 5. Kp is an index used to indicate the severity of the global magnetic disturbances in near-Earth space, NOAA said. Kp ratings increase from zero to 9+. NOAA is predicting moderate and minor geomagnetic storm impacts. Some high latitude electrical systems could suffer damage, radios could be affected among other issues. When could the northern lights be visible? The northern lights could be visible in Michigan Saturday, July 26, according to SPWC. What are the northern lights? The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are waves of light created when the solar wind strikes the atmosphere, creating a display of moving lights in the night sky. Which states could see the northern lights? The NOAA says the red "view line" marks the southernmost extent where aurora might be seen on the northern horizon. While more than a dozen states have a chance to see the northern lights on July 26, Alaska has the greatest chance to see the spectacle, followed by parts of the following states: Idaho Michigan Washington Montana Wyoming North Dakota South Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin New York Vermont New Hampshire Maine Why do the northern lights have different colors? The color of the aurora depends on which gas is being excited by the electrons and on how much energy is being exchanged, NASA said. Oxygen emits either a greenish-yellow light (the most familiar color of the aurora) or a red light; nitrogen generally gives off a blue light. The oxygen and nitrogen molecules also emit ultraviolet light, which can only be detected by special cameras on satellites. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Northern lights forecast: Michigan, other states could see aurora borealis July 26 Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: These 14 States Could See Aurora Borealis Saturday
This weekend will bring several U.S. states a chance at seeing the northern lights, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is anticipating some of the highest auroral activity in recent weeks on Saturday. Aurora Borealis in the United Kingdom. (Photo by) Getty Images NOAA has issued a Kp index of five for Saturday, a designation that calls for a 'moderate aurora' that 'can be quite pleasing to look at' for viewers in the right areas. The curved viewing line for Saturday nearly touches the border between South Dakota and Nebraska, as chances of seeing the northern lights increase the farther north people are of the line. Friday's northern lights forecast is not nearly as strong as Saturday's, with NOAA issuing a Kp index of two and a viewing line at the U.S.-Canada border. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts : We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here . Saturday's viewing line includes states and areas like Alaska, Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, northern Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, the northern edge of Iowa, Michigan, the northern edges of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Saturday's viewing line. NOAA Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. is generally considered the best window of time to catch a view of the northern lights. To increase your chances at seeing aurora borealis, try viewing from areas with little to no light pollution and clear skies. Vantage points can also increase chances of seeing the lights. What's The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights? Smartphone users should use night mode and avoid using flash if they want to photograph the northern lights, while people with traditional cameras should use low apertures while shooting. Wide-angle lenses and tripods can also help capture good images. Key Background The northern lights have been active in the U.S. for over a year now, benefiting from the peak of the sun's 11-year solar cycle, which generates coronal mass ejections and solar flares that contribute to higher auroral activity. NASA forecasts say the lights will remain active into next year and eventually decrease in strength as the solar cycle moves forward. Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 (Forbes)
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
Upgraded Northern Lights Alert: 14 States May See Aurora This Weekend
The aurora borealis or northern lights in the night sky over Shiprock, New Mexico. Days after the Northern Lights were glimpsed from northern U.S states — including Idaho, New Hampshire, Michigan and even Massachusetts — displays may be visible once again on Saturday night (July 26-27), according to a forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. Although astronomical darkness is in short supply at northerly latitudes, sky-watchers in 14 U.S. states may have a chance to see the aurora borealis on the northern horizon during the night into Sunday morning. Northern Lights Tonight: Latest Forecast The agency's new three-day forecast indicates a minor geomagnetic storm, measured at a value of up to 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 aurora displays — may reach 5 around 09:00-12:00 UTC (4:00 a.m. through 7:00 a.m. EDT). However, there is also a possibility that the geomagnetic storm could be a stronger G2 event. In a discussion post, NOAA officials stated that a G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm is likely on July 27 'with a chance for isolated G2 (Moderate) periods due to CME effects from an event that left the Sun on 23 July.' According to the cause is a coronal mass ejection — a clump of charged particles ejected by the sun on July 23 — which is expected to interact with Earth's atmosphere. NASA's WSA-Enlil model has the CME striking Earth. Northern Lights Tonight: Where Aurora May Be Visible Keep an eye on NOAA's latest aurora viewline for an indication of exactly where aurora displays will potentially be seen from, but it will likely include parts of 14 northern U.S. states, and Canada, on July 26/27. 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. Check NOAA's 30-minute forecast or use the Glendale App for the latest forecasts and real-time information on substorms. Northern Lights Tonight: Why Aurora Are Being Seen So Far South The aurora borealis is being seen at more southerly latitudes than usual due to an increase in solar activity. Magnetic activity on the sun is currently at a 23-year high because it's reached solar maximum — the height of our star's 11-year solar cycle. Having possibly peaked in late 2024, the sun may now be quietening down, but solar maximum periods often have double peaks. It's also known that some of the best aurora displays can happen in the two years post-solar maximum. Decent aurora sightings in the U.S. are thus expected through 2026 and 2027. Northern Lights Tonight: Best Places And Times To See The Aurora The best places to see the Northern Lights are those at about 65 degrees north latitude between September and March (when there is sufficient hours of darkness). This is where the auroral oval sits, making northern Norway, northern Sweden, northern Finland, Iceland, Alaska and northern Canada reliable places for aurora sightings when skies are clear. Northern Lights Tonight: Aurora Explained The Northern Lights are caused by disturbances in Earth's magnetic field created by the solar wind. As charged particles accelerate along the magnetic field lines toward the polar regions, they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, exciting them. That causes a photon of light to be released. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
