Topline
The northern lights could be visible once again Sunday night from some northern states, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—although the auroral activity will be limited to only northern states.
The aurora borealis could appear tonight for viewers in the continental United States, including in … More
Key Facts
No geomagnetic storms or solar winds are expected to impact the Earth on Sunday night, but NOAA is forecasting a maximum Kp index of three out of nine—indicating the aurora borealis could still be visible.
The aurora will potentially be visible in eight states along the Canadian border, including Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota, as well as in most of Canada and Alaska.
The forecast also indicates a slight chance for minor solar radiation and radio blackouts—but forecasters noted there were no radio blackouts over the past 24 hours.
What Time Will The Aurora Be Viewable?
The best time to view the northern lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to NOAA. The agency also recommends viewers move as far away from sources of light pollution as possible. The aurora borealis is most visible the closer one moves towards the north pole, but trying to view the northern lights from the far north in June could be difficult due to the longer daylight hours around the summer solstice.
What States Will The Northern Lights Be Visible From?
Most of Alaska and North Dakota may be able to see the northern lights, according to NOAA, along with northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
How Can I Photograph The Northern Lights?
An expert writing for National Geographic recommends photographers use a wide-angle lens and a tripod to capture as much of the sky as possible. A low light-capable lens will also help better capture the night sky. Smartphone cameras are now powerful enough to capture the northern lights, the expert said, but it’s still recommended that photographers use a tripod in order to hold the camera still long enough to capture the lights.
Key Background
In May 2024, Earth was impacted by a major space weather event, later named the Gannon Storm by astronomers, which was caused by coronal ejections from a massive sunspot cluster on the surface of the Sun. The storm caused major geomagnetic storm conditions on Earth, making the aurora borealis visible as far south as Florida.
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