Here’s How to Watch the Northern Lights Tonight
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You thought the show was over, but the cosmos has other plans!
The northern lights are back for another jaw-dropping performance, sweeping across the night sky with their electric hues of green, pink and stellar flashes of violet.
The aurora borealis (northern lights) is a result of geomagnetic storms, which occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating brilliant waves of light in the sky. Still, their visibility depends on several factors, including intensity and location.
According to NOAA’s Space Weather forecast, communities across Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula could catch a glimpse of the northern lights on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Northern lights could also be visible across as many as nine states Tuesday night, per SWPC’s map.
A geomagnetic storm — a disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field happening worldwide — is expected to produce a Kp index of four, on a scale from zero to nine, per NOAA. A Kp index of five or greater increases the likelihood of their visibility.
Here’s everything you need to know about this cosmic event.
When will the northern lights be visible?
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According to NOAA, northern lights may be visible this evening, Sept. 16, after back-to-back lightshows on Sunday, Sept. 14, and Monday, Sept. 15.
Where will the northern lights be visible?
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According to NOAA’s aurora view line, auroras could be seen on the northern horizon, including the following states: Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
With proper weather conditions, NOAA forecasters say the glow may reach as far south as Manistee, Cadillac and West Branch in Michigan.
Local National Weather Service offices are calling for mostly clear skies across central and northern Michigan as well as the Upper Peninsula, though some areas could see clouds or spotty rain.
How to watch the northern lights?
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For the best chance to see the northern lights, head to a dark, open space away from city lights and look toward the northern horizon. Make sure the skies are clear, as clouds or rain can easily block your view.
More importantly, give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Patience is a virtue when aurora watching, as they can initially appear faint before intensifying into colorful light waves.
How to take photos of the northern lights?
Hoping to snap a photo of the dazzling auroras?
Believe it or not, it’s simple: Grab your smartphone and if you’re feeling inspired, it doesn’t hurt to invest in a tripod, as this keeps your camera steady. (A tripod still isn’t mandatory.)
Switch on the “Night Mode” setting on your device, and point towards the sky.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
