Stargazers, get ready! The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are expected to become more visible in the coming year due to the peak of the current solar cycle. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, Earth is currently in the solar maximum phase, which is when sunspots and intense magnetic activity are most prevalent. This phenomenon leads to more solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), resulting in a breathtaking light show when these particles reach Earth’s atmosphere.
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What Are the Northern Lights?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, and their southern counterpart, the aurora australis, are the final step in a process that begins with energy from the sun. Elizabeth Macdonald, a space physicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, explains that these events occur when solar material and strong magnetic fields from the sun interact with atoms and molecules in Earth’s outer atmosphere. Shawn Dahl, coordinator for NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, notes that this interaction causes the atoms in Earth’s atmosphere to glow, creating the vibrant colors we see in the night sky.
“As part of that interaction, light gets released, and that’s what we see as this shimmering beauty of the aurora,” Dahl said.
Every 11 years, the sun reaches its solar maximum, a period when solar flares are most frequent. NOAA predicts the current cycle will peak between November 2024 and March 2026, making this the perfect time for aurora enthusiasts to catch the northern lights.
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How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights
To improve your chances of witnessing this stunning celestial display, you can sign up for alerts through Aurorasaurus, a citizen science platform run by Macdonald. This service not only notifies users when the northern lights may be visible in their area, but also allows users to report aurora sightings, which helps improve real-time alerts and build better forecasting models.
“This is the first solar maximum when people have cell phones that can take high-quality images easily,” Macdonald noted, emphasizing the role of citizen science in advancing research.
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Best Locations to See the Northern Lights
In the United States, prime locations for viewing the northern lights include the upper Midwest, particularly the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and parts of North Dakota. Dahl mentions that these areas are ideal because they are closer to the geomagnetic pole, allowing for better viewing of auroras.
Expedia Group suggests visiting these locations in April, October, and November for the best chance to see the lights in Michigan. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park along the Canadian border is ideal for aurora viewing in the fall and winter months.
Internationally, Alaska, Canada, Finland, and Norway are top destinations for northern lights viewing. Occasionally, strong geomagnetic storms cause the lights to be visible farther south, though in these cases, the lights often appear more red than green due to atmospheric differences.
One surprising location where the northern lights have been seen is the Great Wall of China, according to Expedia.
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When Is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights?
For the best viewing experience, experts recommend stargazing in dark locations, with the ideal viewing window being two hours before and after midnight. During the winter months, this window can expand to four hours before and after midnight due to earlier sunsets, Dahl explains.
Getting away from light pollution, including the brightness of a full moon, is essential for the best viewing. Dahl also advises viewers to avoid looking at the bright screens of cell phones, as this can hinder your ability to fully appreciate the lights.
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Why Predicting the Northern Lights Is Difficult
Space weather forecasting is a complex field, largely due to the vast distance between the sun and Earth—about 93 million miles. This makes it challenging to predict the intensity of CMEs, which are the primary drivers of auroras.
Dahl explains that scientists can’t determine the exact composition of a CME or the strength of its magnetic field until it’s about one million miles from Earth. At this point, spacecraft stationed in space take measurements, providing only a few hours’ warning before the CME impacts Earth’s magnetic field.
Additionally, substorms in space can affect a CME’s journey to Earth, further complicating predictions.
Despite these challenges, Dahl encourages Aurora Chasers to remain patient. “The northern lights may start weak, but can suddenly escalate due to substorms. So, be patient and take full advantage of the opportunity,” he said.
As we approach the peak of the solar cycle, the northern lights are expected to grace the skies more frequently. With the right conditions and some patience, stargazers can experience one of nature’s most magnificent displays.
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