Friday night’s viewings will be the second visually stunning space phenomenon visible in the U.S. this week.
WASHINGTON — Ten U.S. states could see the northern lights Friday night and throughout the weekend, with a weak geomagnetic storm passing by Earth and making the vibrant lights in the sky visible at lower latitudes than normal.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s predictions, the G1 geomagnetic storm — considered relatively minor in astronomical measurements — will cause a high-speed solar wind that could cause the aurora displays to be visible as far south as the northern U.S.
It’s the second rare space phenomenon on display in less than a week, coming three days after the dramatic darkening of the moon for a total lunar eclipse on March 3.
During Tuesday’s eclipse, called a “blood moon,” the Earth moved directly between the sun and the moon, casting the moon into Earth’s shadow and filtering sunlight through our atmosphere. During the peak of the eclipse, the moon took on a striking reddish-orange hue as only the longer (red) wavelengths of light bent toward its surface.
Where will the northern lights be visible?
According to NOAA’s data, sky watchers in ten sates may get the chance to see the brilliant light show. Here are all the states likely to have the northern lights visible this weekend:
- Alaska
- Washington
- Idaho
- Montana
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Maine
What causes the northern lights?
In layman’s terms, the sun is constantly shooting out charged particles. But sometimes, it emits a particularly violent stream of energy known as solar wind, during solar flares or “coronal mass ejections.”
When these energetic solar winds hit the Earth’s atmosphere, they collide with the gases in the upper atmosphere and charge them. As that energy dissipates, it lets out light that we can see.
The different gases produce different colors, which is why an aurora borealis can shift from green and blue to red and purple.
How to see auroras
Northern lights forecasts can be found on NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website or an aurora forecasting app.
Consider aurora-watching in a quiet, dark area away from city lights. NASA’s Kelly Korreck recommended skygazing from a local or national park. And check the weather forecast because clouds can cover up the spectacle entirely.
Taking a picture with a smartphone camera may also reveal hints of the aurora that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
