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Parts of the far northern United States will have another chance to see the northern lights this week as increased geomagnetic activity continues to provide observers with decent views of the atmospheric phenomenon.
Northern Lights in Wisconsin. (Photo by Ross Harried/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Key Facts
Saturday’s aurora forecast calls for a KP index of five, meaning meteorologists expect the aurora to get brighter and provide fair visibility for observers in the right areas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space weather forecast Moderate to high solar activity is expected over the weekend until at least Sunday, indicating a warning is in effect for G1 Storm– A small geomagnetic storm capable of producing aurora borealis in the northern states.
Saturday’s aurora forecast is more favorable than Sunday’s for those looking to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, as sight line It extends slightly south into the northern states.
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Where will the lights be visible tonight?
The northern parts of states such as Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Minnesota are above the line of sight (see map below) and have slim chance When you see the lights. The chances of seeing the aurora borealis will vary in most areas of North Dakota.
Saturday viewing line.
How do you see the lights?
The period between 10pm and 2am is the ideal time for those looking to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, with areas free of cloud cover and minimal light pollution most conducive to viewing.
How do you photograph lights?
Those wishing to capture this phenomenon using their smartphones should use night mode and a slow shutter speed if possible.
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The increased solar activity affecting the northern United States and Canada has continued since July, giving aurora hunters multiple opportunities to catch the lights. Earlier this week, the northern lights and the Perseid meteor shower were seen in places like New York, Poland, Spain and England. The jump in aurora sightings is part of a larger stretch of solar activity seen throughout 2024 and is expected to increase as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted a peak in 2025 of up to 115 sunspots, the source of geomagnetic storms before they produce aurora.
Further reading
Northern Lights as seen from space (BBC)
Northern Lights, Perseid Meteor Shower Put on Spectacular Nighttime Celestial Show (PHOTOS) (Forbes)
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