Topline
Solar eruptions that occurred over the weekend are expected to arrive to Earth this week, and scientists predict this could cause the Northern Lights to be visible in multiple U.S. states as early as Monday.
Key Facts
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a G2 geomagnetic storm watch for Tuesday, which has the potential to cause the Northern Lights to be visible in several continental U.S. states.
A solar filament eruption, which is when cooler regions of the sun are active, caused coronal mass ejections—eruptions of solar material—to leave the sun early Sunday morning, and NOAA predicts these aurora-causing CMEs will arrive to Earth Tuesday.
However, there may be a chance some U.S. states will see the lights Monday: Monday night’s aurora will have a Kp index of four, meaning the lights will become brighter and be “quite pleasing to look at” if weather conditions are optimal, according to NOAA.
Solar activity has been unusually busy in recent months as the sun’s 11-year solar cycle approaches its anticipated peak between late 2024 and early 2026, with sunspots expected to intensify over the next year, and likely triggering more geomagnetic storms.
Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible Tonight?
Although it’s hard to pinpoint where the Northern Lights will show up, they may be the most visible Monday night in Canada and Alaska, according to NOAA (see image below). However, continental U.S. states within the aurora’s view line include Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine and the northernmost parts of New York.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
The lights are typically the most active between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. For the best views of the Northern Lights, the agency advises traveling as close to the poles as possible, avoiding city lights and other light pollution, monitoring weather forecasts for prime viewing conditions and finding a position on a vantage point like a hilltop.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
Smartphone cameras are sensitive enough to pick up the aurora, even when it’s invisible to the naked eye. Visit Iceland, a tourist website for Iceland, where the lights are often visible, advises turning on night mode to best increase smartphone camera exposure.
Key Background
Solar Cycle 25—the cycle the sun goes through around every 11 years—has been the cause of geomagnetic storms that have resulted in recent sightings of the Northern Lights, and NASA predicts it will continue on into next year. Cycle 25 began in Dec. 2019, and it’s estimated it will reach its maximum—when activity is expected to peak—between late 2024 and early 2026. It’s projected to peak with 115 sunspots, which are where geomagnetic storms originate. Although the maximum hasn’t happened yet, the sun’s activity has been busier than scientists anticipated, so it’s possible there will be even more geomagnetic storms leading up to 2026, though it’s difficult to predict exactly when these storms will occur.
Big Number
299. That’s about how many sunspots were reached on August 8, according to NOAA’s predictions. This is the highest sunspot number since Solar Cycle 25 began, and the highest number since at least July 2002.
