Valentine’s Day Aurora Borealis: G1 Geomagnetic Storm to Illuminate Select US States

US States Where Aurora Borealis Will Be Visible on Valentine’s Day

The sun is currently in its solar maximum, a phase of its 11-year cycle characterized by increased solar activity and energy discharge. This heightened activity has led to more frequent displays of northern lights over the past few months.

During solar maximum, coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — bursts of magnetized plasma from the sun’s corona — occur more often. As these CMEs travel towards Earth within the solar wind, they interact with the planet’s magnetic field, producing the vibrant green and pink hues that define the auroras.

According to NOAA’s aurora viewline map, the northern lights will be visible in US states like Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Alaska in the coming days, provided the weather conditions are favorable. Depending on the storm’s strength, the aurora borealis might also be seen in northern Michigan and Maine, reports ABC News.

How to Watch the Aurora Borealis

Given that the sun is approximately 93 million kilometers away, predicting the exact time and location of northern lights is challenging. CMEs can take days to reach Earth, according to space experts. However, a community platform called Aurorasaurus sends alerts to its users if there’s a possibility of auroras in their region. They also provide real-time alerts to inform users if the lights can be seen currently.

NOAA advises that the best time to spot northern lights is around midnight, both before and after. Space experts recommend finding a location away from light pollution and the direct light of a full moon to improve visibility. For those wishing to capture the aurora, smartphone cameras or digital cameras are more sensitive to the array of colors displayed by the northern lights. These devices can capture detailed images even when the event is not visible to the naked eye, according to NASA.