Active solar activity increases view line map of northern lights across the US
The northern lights dance across the night sky over Higgins Lake, Michigan.
The northern lights are forecasted to be visible for the next two days, and if the weather cooperates, Tuesday’s viewing map encompasses most of the north of the U.S. and parts of the Midwest.
The sun has been overly active in recent weeks, unleashing solar flares and coronal mass erections while officially reaching its solar maximum period, which can result in the active northern lights forecast. NASA reported 22 coronal mass ejections on Sunday, March 2, along with 12 M-class flares, one X-class flare, and one geomagnetic storm.
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The sun has officially reached its solar maximum period in 2024, which could continue this year, according to the International Solar Cycle Prediction Panel. Scientists predict that solar and geomagnetic storms during the current solar maximum period will continue to lead to more opportunities to view auroras, also known as the northern lights and potential technology impacts.
While solar cycle 25 began in December 2019, it is measured as an 11-year cycle during which solar eruptions are more frequent.
Solar flare eruptions are associated with coronal mass ejections, which occur when plasma from the sun interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. When this solar material reaches Earth, geomagnetic storms and the northern lights can occur.
The best viewing times will be from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m., according to the NOAA, adding that light pollution and clouds will disrupt the night sky views.
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NOAA: Northern Lights view line map for Monday, March 3.
NOAA: Northern Lights view line map for Tuesday, March 4.
NASA describes the phenomena as a “sun burp” in a separate report, adding the sun has lots of energy and small particles, many of which the planet’s magnetic field offers protection from.
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“During one kind of solar storm called a coronal mass ejection, the sun ‘burps’ out huge bubbles of electrified gas that can travel through space at high speeds,” a portion of NASA’s website states. “The particles then interact with gases in the atmosphere, resulting in beautiful displays of light in the sky.”
“Oxygen gives off green and red light,” NASA adds. “Nitrogen glows blue and purple.”
Robin Bradshaw is a digital reporter. A Texas native, she graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a bachelor of applied science in legal studies. She was a reporter for Gannett in South Texas before her role at Hearst. She covers an array of story angles. Contact her at robin.bradshaw@hearst.com for any tips or story leads.
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Northern Lights view line map for Monday, March 3:
Northern Lights view line map for Tuesday, March 4:
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Robin Bradshaw is a digital reporter. A Texas native, she graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a bachelor of applied science in legal studies. She was a reporter for Gannett in South Texas before her role at Hearst. She covers an array of story angles. Contact her at robin.bradshaw@hearst.com for any tips or story leads.
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Latest Northern Lights Forecast: These 15 States Could See Aurora Tonight Amid Geomagnetic Storms
The northern lights may be visible across the northern United States Tuesday night as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projects a stronger-than-usual forecast, which is thanks to a minor geomagnetic storm the agency says will take place late Tuesday.
A geomagnetic storm may prompt strong northern lights on Tuesday night. (Photo by Hazal … [+]
Tuesday night’s northern lights will have a Kp index of 5, which is measured on a scale from zero to nine, indicating the lights have moved further from the poles and may be “quite pleasing to look at.”
NOAA forecasts the northern lights might be visible in about 15 states following a minor geomagnetic storm, which it says is expected as a result of a coronal mass ejection, a large expulsion of plasma from the sun, that took place over the weekend.
NOAA says there is also a chance of minor-to-moderate radio blackouts through March 6.
The northern lights Kp index weakens later in the week, according to NOAA, with Tuesday and Wednesday’s Kp indexes reaching levels of about 2 or 3.
Nearly all of Alaska has a high likelihood of seeing the northern lights on Tuesday night, according to NOAA’s projection (see map below). Other states with a moderate chance of seeing the lights include Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Other states that fall within the NOAA’s projected view line, the point with the lowest chance of seeing the aurora, include Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.
The best time to catch the northern lights is when it is dark out, ideally between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to NOAA. The agency recommends finding a high vantage point, traveling as far north as possible and avoiding light pollution to get the best view of the lights.
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National Geographic recommends using a wide-angle lens and using a tripod for stability. Night mode on an iPhone can also help capture the northern lights. National Geographic also recommends using an aperture value of 4.0 or lower and composing the image by capturing trees, bodies of water or mountains to frame the picture.
The northern lights have made frequent appearances in American skies throughout 2024, marking a period of unusual activity for aurora borealis. NASA said the visibility of the lights hit a 500-year peak last year, and it expects these bright, active lights will continue throughout 2026. The aurora borealis has been visible so often because the sun is in its “solar maximum,” the period of its 11-year cycle during which it is most active, which has caused events like solar flares and storms. Some of the strongest solar flares in decades have been observed, including a flare in October measured at a level of X9.0, which caused auroras with a Kp index as high as 7 that were visible as far south as Florida.
NOAA, the agency that issues northern lights forecasts, and also forecasts the weather, monitors the climate and works on coastal restoration, has been targeted by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency for layoffs. Hundreds of employees, including meteorologists, scientists and communications officials, were reportedly fired last week. Some scientists and politicians have warned these firings could disrupt ship navigation, farmers and weather forecasts. More than 1,000 protesters gathered outside a NOAA building in Boulder, Colorado on Monday to protest the agency’s firings.
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Conor Murray is a reporter covering trends in entertainment and culture. He is based in Jersey City and joined Forbes in… Read More
Conor Murray is a reporter covering trends in entertainment and culture. He is based in Jersey City and joined Forbes in
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