Latest news with #JimSergent
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Is PA among 15 states that could see the aurora borealis tonight? See northern lights map
Alaska and states near the Canadian border will have a likely chance of seeing the northern lights Wednesday, June 25. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible in as many as 15 northern states Wednesday night, June 25, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Most of Canada will also have a chance to see the lights. Unfortunately for Pennsylvania skywatchers, the northern lights are not expected to be visible. Neighboring New York state is the closest to Pennsylvania with a chance to see the light show. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center tracks auroras using the Kp-index, a global auroral activity. The index's 0-9 scale measures fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field in specific geographic locations. It predicts minor to moderate geomagnetic storms on the sun's surface, which can cause a disturbance in the Earth's atmosphere. NOAA forecasts several states in the northern United States will have the best views. If the weather is clear, many in the northern states should be able to see the sky show. Among the states, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center: Alaska, Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. More: Multiple states could see northern lights this week. See map. The Kp index is expected to peak at 5 during the week, according to the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. See NOAA's three-day forecast for the most recent timing breakdown. We're protected from the solar winds − the streams of charged particles released by the sun's corona, or outermost atmospheric layer − by the invisible barrier created by the Earth's magnetic field. Stronger solar winds can disturb the field. Vivid auroras are produced then the charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere and the planet's magnetic field. The light display can be visible over Europe and the United States during large auroral events. According to the University of Alaska, during a major event in 1958, the aurora could be seen from Mexico City. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent SOURCE NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center, and USA TODAY research This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aurora borealis possibly visible to 15 northern states on June 25
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
See which states may see the Aurora Borealis tonight and into this week
Good news for skywatchers: The Auroras are coming back! For those in the northern states, the Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, are likely to appear this week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. NOAA tracks auroras using the Kp-index, a global auroral activity. The index's 0-9 scale measures fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field in specific geographic locations. It predicts minor to moderate geomagnetic storms on the sun's surface, which can cause a disturbance in the Earth's atmosphere. NOAA forecasts several states in the northern U.S. will have the best views. If the weather is clear, many in northern states should be able to see the northern lights. Among the states, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center: Alaska, Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. States that may see the auroras this week Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. More: Multiple states could see northern lights this week. See map. The Kp index, which measures activity in Earth's magnetic field, is expected to peak at 5 during the week, according to the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. View NOAA's 3-day forecast for the most recent timing breakdown. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction forecast Earth's magnetic field acts as a barrier We're protected from the solar winds by the invisible barrier created by the Earth's magnetic field. Stronger solar winds have the ability to disturb the magnetic field. Vivid auroras are produced when gases from the planet's magnetic field contact the storm's particle stream. Though uncommon, the display can be visible over Europe and the United States during large auroral events. According to the University of Alaska, during a major event in 1958, the aurora could be seen from Mexico City. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent SOURCE NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center, and USA TODAY research
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Lyrid meteor shower 2025: Where and when to view
Lyrid meteor shower 2025: Where and when to view Sky watchers will be treated to something special as the Lyrids meteor shower reaches its peak. The Lyrids are expected to peak April 21 and April 22, according to NASA. On those nights, the moon will be at 40% brightness, which may interfere with viewing, according to the American Meteor Society. It may be best to view the meteor shower on the evening of April 21 – just before the waning crescent moon rises. In the best conditions, the Lyrids average 10 to 15 meteors an hour, but it can bombard the sky with up to 100, according to NASA. Where to view in the night sky Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. The American Meteor Society describes the Lyrids as a "medium-strength shower." Though the Lyrids bring fast and bright meteors, they're not as plentiful as showers like the Perseids in August, according to NASA. "Lyrids don't tend to leave long, glowing dust trains behind them as they streak through the Earth's atmosphere, but they can produce the occasional bright flash called a fireball," NASA says. Parent comet of Lyrid meteor shower Lyrids are pieces of debris from Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. In mid-April each year, the Earth runs into the stream of debris from the comet, which causes the meteor shower. First sightings of the Lyrids The first recorded sighting of a Lyrid meteor shower goes back to 687 B.C. in China. Observers there said the Lyrids were "falling like rain." Earthsky said that in 1982, American observers saw an outburst of nearly 100 Lyrid meteors an hour. Japanese observers saw about 100 meteors an hour in 1945, and Greek observers saw that number in 1922. What are meteors made of? Meteors are space rocks that are as small as a grain of sand or small rock. As they enter Earth's atmosphere, they create a tail of debris as they disintegrate. Meteorites that have made their way to the Earth's surface are small pieces of an asteroid. Some have been traced back to Mars and the moon. CONTRIBUTING Doyle Rice and Jim Sergent SOURCE NASA, Sky & Telescope, EarthSky, and This story was updated to add new information.
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Two additional tick species can transmit red meat allergies: See where they are
Two additional tick species can transmit red meat allergies: See where they are Ticks have been known to transmit diseases to humans, such as Lyme disease, babesiosis or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but now a recently discovered red meat allergy could become more common. The red meat allergy, or alpha-gal syndrome, was first reported in 2009 and is still relatively rare. Once a person is bitten and infected, symptoms appear after they eat red meat or if they're exposed to other animal products, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Until recently, scientists thought only the lone star tick could spread the disease. But a new study finds bites from two other tick species – the blacklegged tick and Western blacklegged wood tick – can trigger the allergy, too. Where the three tick species linked to red meat allergies are found The eastern and southern U.S. is home to the majority of lone star tick populations. The blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, is widespread in the East. Western blacklegged wood ticks are found on the West Coast. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. Where alpha-gal syndrome cases have been reported the US More than 110,000 cases of alpha-gal syndrome were documented in the U.S. from 2010 to 2022, according to CDC data, but the agency estimates up to 450,000 people may have been infected and most didn't report it. "The overwhelmingly vast majority of cases occur within the range of the lone star tick, which is why most cases of AGS are found in the eastern, southeastern and the south-central parts of the United States," Dr. Johanna Salzer, veterinarian and disease ecologists at the CDC, told USA TODAY in a statement. What are the symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome? Alpha-gal, a sugar molecule, enters the body via a tick bite. In certain people, this sets off a response from the immune system, the body's defense mechanism. Red meats such as lamb, beef and pork can trigger mild to severe allergic responses, according to the CDC. Reactions to other foods that come from animals, such as dairy or gelatins, also can occur. Are you risking Lyme disease? Here's how to remove ticks Are you removing ticks correctly? Here's everything you need to know about ticks and how you can combat Lyme disease. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY Ways to prevent tick bites If you expect to be in an area where ticks live, such a backyard, park or campsite, be extra careful when venturing outside. Ticks can be a year-round annoyance, but they are most active in the warmer months of April through September. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent, Ahjané Forbes and Julia Gomez SOURCE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota and USA TODAY research This story was updated to add new information.
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Science
- USA Today
February planetary alignment: Skywatchers will be treated to a celestial event Friday
February planetary alignment: Skywatchers will be treated to a celestial event Friday Skywatchers will get a cosmic treat this week with a celestial gathering of planets. A planetary alignment, or a "planet parade," according to the internet, will grace our night sky just after dusk, according to SkyatNightMagazine. You can expect to see seven planets align Friday when Mercury joins Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus and Saturn. But not all of them will be easy to see, especially with the naked eye. You'll need a good pair of high-powered binoculars or a telescope to see Uranus and Neptune. Where to view the planetary alignment Regardless of how you're viewing them, the hardest planets to see will be Saturn and Neptune because they are close to the horizon and the sun, according to StarWalk. If you can see them, they'll be toward the west just after the sun sets. The time will vary based on your location. Mercury also should be visible in the western part of the sky just after sunset. You'll have the best chance of viewing the alignment if you can find a location free of light pollution and a view of the horizon free of obstructions like trees or tall buildings. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. More: There's still time to see the 'planet parade' that began in January: Here's what's visible Is a planetary alignment unusual? It's not especially remarkable for a few planets to line up in the sky, but when we see four or five brilliant planets at once, it's less common, according to NASA. The planets orbit the sun continuously in the solar system, so at times, they slowly catch up to one another. Because they travel along the same path, or ecliptic, as they pass Earth, it appears they are aligned. The alignment formation, however, is short-lived because planets move at different speeds. Profiles of the planets With eight planets in our solar system, which includes Earth, they all have some very interesting traits. Here's a quick look at the planets aligning this month: When will the planets align again? According to Starwalk, skywatchers can look forward to more planetary alignments in 2025-2026: April 17 (four planets): Neptune, Mercury, Saturn and Venus. (four planets): Neptune, Mercury, Saturn and Venus. Aug. 10 (six planets): Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn. (six planets): Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn. Feb. 28, 2026 (six planets): Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent SOURCE BBC and NASA
