Topline
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Northern Lights could be visible from the northern states along the US-Canadian border because Earth could see the effects of small geomagnetic storms caused by a coronal hole observed on the Sun.
According to NOAA, a coronal hole could produce small geomagnetic storms starting early Tuesday morning.
Getty Images
Key facts
Forecasters at NOAA predict a Kp index of four out of nine on Monday night and early Tuesday morning, indicating the aurora could appear “brighter” with more “movements and formations.”
The higher Kp index coincides with an increased risk of small geomagnetic storms starting early Tuesday morning, caused by a “positive polarity corona hole,” forecasters said.
What are coronal holes?
Coronal holes are areas of the Sun’s corona, or outermost layer of the atmosphere, that appear darker in photographs. They are relatively cooler, less dense and have unipolar magnetic fields through which solar winds can escape. When these solar winds interact with Earth’s magnetic field, they can create geomagnetic storms. The forecast storms for Tuesday morning are expected to be relatively mild, scoring a G1 out of five NOAA scale. These mild storms can still make the Northern Lights appear brighter and more visible further south.
Where will the Northern Lights be visible?
The aurora could be visible from several northern states, including parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and northern South Dakota. In the Midwest, the lights could be visible from northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. On the East Coast, they could also be visible from the northern tip of Maine. Most of Alaska will also be within line of sight for the lights on Monday.
What is the best way to view the Northern Lights?
Future northern lights watchers should travel north toward Earth’s magnetic north pole and away from other light sources, NOAA experts said. Viewers should find a vantage point with an unobstructed view to the north, and plan their trips during the hours when the aurora is most active (usually between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.).
#Northern #Lights #Forecast #Aurora #Borealis #visible #ten #states