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Several continental US states may get another chance to see the northern lights again Tuesday night after a slew of solar flares blasted toward Earth over the weekend, though Tuesday’s aurora is likely to be weaker than previous ones.
Aurora Borealis
Key Facts
The Kp index for the northern lights on Tuesday night is fourThis means the lights will move away from the poles, become “brighter and there will be more auroral activity.” According to To the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
A series of coronal mass ejections — eruptions of solar material — reached Earth over the weekend, and were detected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. predicts The coronal mass ejection will continue through Tuesday, bringing aurora to many continental US states.
This comes after an unexpectedly strong performance. Geomagnetic Storm G4 It was spotted on Monday with Kp indicator Reaching a high of magnitude 8, and some of the strongest northern lights since May’s impressive display – along with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.
However, there is still a chance to see the aurora along with the Perseids on Tuesday night: and although the peak of the meteor shower has already passed, the few days before and after the peak are also prime viewing days.
Solar activity has been unusually active in recent months as the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle nears its expected end. summit Earth is expected to experience a wave of geomagnetic storms between late 2024 and early 2026, as sunspots are expected to intensify over the next year, which will likely trigger more geomagnetic storms.
Where will the aurora borealis be visible tonight?
Although it’s hard to know where the northern lights will appear, they may be most visible Tuesday night in Canada and Alaska, According to According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (see image below), however, continental U.S. states within line of sight of the aurora include Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, and upstate New York.
Aurora borealis latitude Tuesday night.
What is the best way to see the Northern Lights?
The lights are usually Most active For the best views of the Northern Lights, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration advises traveling as close to the poles as possible, avoiding city lights and other light pollution, monitoring the weather forecast for excellent viewing conditions and finding a location at an observation point such as a hilltop.
What is the best way to photograph the northern lights?
Smartphone cameras are sensitive enough To capture the aurora borealis, even when it is not visible to the naked eye. Visit IcelandA tourism website specializing in Iceland, where lights are often visible, recommends turning on night mode to improve your smartphone camera’s exposure.
Main background
Solar cycle 25—The sun’s roughly 11-year cycle—has been the cause of the geomagnetic storms that led to recent northern lights sightings, and NASA expects them to continue into next year. Cycle 25 began in December 2019, and is expected to peak—when activity is expected to peak—between Geomagnetic storms are expected to peak in late 2024 and early 2026, when there are expected to be 115 sunspots, the source of geomagnetic storms. Although the maximum has not yet occurred, the sun has been more active than scientists expected, so there are likely to be more geomagnetic storms through 2025, although it is difficult to predict exactly when these storms will occur.
big number
299. That’s the number of sunspots reached on August 8, according to NOAA. ExpectationsThis is the highest number of sunspots since the start of Solar Cycle 25, and the highest number since at least July 2002. However, the official number will be reported by September 1.
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