Topline
The northern lights could be visible from several states along the U.S.-Canadian border on Sunday, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as an incoming coronal mass ejection from the sun is expected to cause stronger geomagnetic storms later this week.
Key Facts
NOAA is predicting a Kp index of five out of nine for Sunday night, meaning the northern lights could appear brighter, visible farther from the north pole and appear with more “motion and formations.”
Forecasters expect a coronal mass ejection that escaped from the sun on Saturday will arrive by Monday, causing minor, moderate or even strong geomagnetic storms in the next few days—which could make the aurora more visible than usual.
What Are Coronal Mass Ejections?
Coronal mass ejections are expulsions of solar material from the sun’s corona, or its outermost layer of atmosphere. When it arrives at the Earth it can interact with the planet’s own magnetosphere and cause geomagnetic storms. Strong geomagnetic storms can cause problems for satellites and radio communications, but they can also cause the aurora to appear as far south as Illinois, according to NOAA. The agency is predicting minor to strong storms (G1 through G3 on NOAA’s scale out of five) beginning on Monday, which could continue through Tuesday.
Where Could The Northern Lights Be Visible?
The aurora has a chance of visibility in most states along the U.S.-Canadian border on Sunday, according to NOAA. This includes North Dakota, much of the Michigan Upper Peninsula, northern Minnesota, northern Montana and the northernmost stretches of Washington, Idaho, Wisconsin and South Dakota. The chances of catching the lights in the Lower 48 are relatively low compared to much of Alaska, however, where NOAA forecasts a “high” chance of the aurora borealis appearing Sunday night.
What’s the Best Way to View the Aurora?
Experts at NOAA recommend prospective viewers travel north, toward Earth’s magnetic north pole, and find a good vantage point for viewing, such as a hill with a clear view of the northern sky and far from city lights. Viewers should plan their nights around the times the aurora is most active—typically the hours around midnight, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
What’s the Best Way to Photograph the Aurora?
Smartphone cameras are now capable of taking high quality photos of the northern lights, experts who spoke to National Geographic said. Users should remember to turn off flash, shoot in night mode and use RAW image format. All cameras trying to capture the aurora should be held still for long periods of time, so experts recommend photographers use a tripod and timed release with their phones.