by Top line
More states than expected may have a chance to view the northern lights on Tuesday, according to forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as a geomagnetic storm could make the phenomenon farther south visible to more observers. stars.
The Northern Lights can be visible in Alaska, Minnesota and Canada.
Key facts
Auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine, indicating that the northern lights will “become brighter” and could “be very pleasant to look at.”
The initial forecast was two, meaning the lights would not have been “very active”, but minor geomagnetic storms – caused by a burst of energy and particles released by the sun – intensified later in the day of Tuesday.
Solar radiation, or energy released by the sun in the form of light waves, can also expose passengers and crew of planes flying at high altitudes to radiation and cause minor disruptions to satellite operations on Tuesday, according to the NOAA.
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Where will the Northern Lights be visible?
There is a chance of viewing the Northern Lights in northern Canada and Alaska and the line of sight – marking a minimal chance of seeing the phenomenon – has expanded to include the northern parts of Idaho, Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, as well as almost all of North Dakota, means stargazers in this region have a chance of seeing auroral activity. (See updated viewing row below.)
Northern Lights forecast for Tuesday October 29, 2024.
What is the best way to see the Northern Lights?
It’s best to get away from light pollution and go to a high vantage point to watch the Northern Lights, which become visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to NOAA.
What is the best way to photograph the Northern Lights?
Adobe recommends setting the focus of a standard camera to the furthest possible setting with a wide aperture, low shutter speed, and high ISO. If you’re using a smartphone, Visit Iceland suggests using night mode and a low shutter speed.
Key context
NOAA and NASA believe that activity on the sun’s surface has reached a “solar maximum,” leading to more sunspots and coronal mass ejections. This peak is expected to continue through 2025 and early 2026, with more opportunities to view the Northern Lights in more states. Increased geomagnetic activity in Earth’s atmosphere earlier this month drew the northern lights as far as South Texas. Other celestial events have also crossed the night sky in recent weeks, including the Orionid meteor shower, an “ancient” comet that won’t be seen for 80,000 years, and another comet that became visible during the day.
Further reading
