A solar storm on the way could allow us to see the Northern lights in several states of the United States during this weekend. A new wave of energy from the Sun is heading towards the Earth and could cause a new episode of lights in the sky from the night of Friday, January 16, until the early hours of Saturday, the 17th. The northern lights are produced when charged particles from the Sun collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, generating visible light waves in the sky.
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According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, a mild geomagnetic storm (G1 level) is expected due to the interaction of these particles with the planet’s magnetic field.
The activity is related to a recent solar flare and could intensify if faster-than-anticipated solar winds arrive.
The best time to try to observe the phenomenon would be between Friday night and early Saturdaymost likely before dawn. In addition, the presence of a waning moon, a few days after the new moon on January 18, will favor darker skies.
The best time to see them would be between Friday night and the early hours of Saturday. (Photo: Freepik / Reference image)
Even so, experts remember that observation is never guaranteed and it depends on the weather, light pollution and, to a large extent, luck.
If geomagnetic activity remains at G1 level, auroras could be seen in northern areas of montana, North Dakota, Minnesota y northern michigan. If the intensity increases to the G2 level, the lights could extend further south and reach parts of Wisconsin, Washington e Idahoand even northern regions of Iowa o Illinois.
States most likely to be observed include Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Dakota del Sur, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan y Maine. In more intense episodes, faint flashes could also be perceived on the northern horizon in areas of northern Wyoming, New York, Vermont y New Hampshire.
Northern states such as Montana, Minnesota, Michigan and the Dakotas have higher chances of visibility, although they could extend further south if activity increases. (Reference photo: Pixabay)
To best observe the auroras, it is recommended to find a dark place, away from city lights, and look north. To the naked eye they usually look like soft glows or slow flashes, not always as intense as in the photos.
It is important to let your eyes adjust to the darkness for about 20 minutes.
The observation will depend on the weather, the darkness of the sky and the final intensity of the phenomenon. (Image created by El Comercio MAG using “Perplexity” AI)
Those who want to photograph the phenomenon do not need professional equipment. Simply activate Night Mode on iPhone or Pro Mode on Android, disable the flash and keep the phone stable, ideally with a tripod.
With more advanced cameras, it is recommended to use wide-angle lenses and long exposures to better capture colors and motion.
The science behind the northern lights
According to NASA, the northern lights originate when the Sun expels bursts of charged particles, known as solar wind, that travel through space until they meet the Earth. Our planet’s magnetic field acts as a shield, deflecting these particles towards the poles, where they manage to penetrate the upper atmosphere.
Once there, these particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. This collision releases energy in the form of light, creating a visual spectacle where oxygen usually generates green lights and nitrogen generates bluish or purple tones.
In essence, it is a huge natural electrical discharge that occurs at high altitudes.
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