Excited to witness the Northern Lights? You’re in luck! The Northern Lights are expected to be visible across parts of the UK and US tonight.
For the first time since 2005, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has announced a G4 magnetic storm watch for this weekend, the second highest in intensity.
While the sun sending storms of high-energy particles can be concerning, for most of us, there’s only one thing on our minds: catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights tonight.
Ready to tick that off your bucket list?
When can you see the aurora borealis?
Scientists expect the aurora borealis to be visible tonight, Friday, May 10th, and into tomorrow morning, Saturday, May 11th, across all regions of the UK and US.
Enhanced geomagnetic activity will continue over the weekend due to Earth-driven coronal mass ejections (CMEs) reaching Earth. Tonight is expected to be the peak of activity, providing the best opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
“It’s challenging to predict where the aurora will be visible as conditions can change rapidly,” says Professor Don Polacco. “But one thing is certain: they are unlikely to be seen from well-lit city environments. You’ll need to go somewhere dark and look north (towards the North Star).” Therefore, rural areas away from streetlights are ideal.
The best viewing time is typically during the darkest hours of the night, around 11 pm to midnight, but it’s hard to predict the exact timing, so it may be late at night for avid aurora hunters.
To capture an image of the display, Dr. Paul Strom suggests using a tripod, increasing the camera’s sensitivity (ISO), and taking long-exposure shots to capture the beauty of the Northern Lights.
Where can I see the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights will be visible across much of the northern half of the United States this weekend, with northern Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and most of North Dakota being prime locations. Keep an eye on SWPC updates for the latest forecasts.
In England, the Japan Meteorological Agency predicts that the Northern Lights will be visible in the northern half of the country, with a chance of visibility across the entire UK.
The exact locations for viewing the Northern Lights are always challenging to predict, but with high geomagnetic activity expected, tonight promises to be a thrilling experience for many.
What causes the aurora borealis?
Earth’s powerful magnetic field interacts with particles emitted by the sun, creating the stunning auroras. Dr. Darren Baskill explains how these interactions result in the mesmerizing display of the aurora borealis.
Why will the aurora be enhanced tonight?
Tonight’s enhanced auroras are due to rare geomagnetic phenomena caused by multiple Earthbound CMEs observed erupting from the sun’s surface. These phenomena are part of the sun’s 11-year cycle, leading to increased solar activity and more frequent auroras.
The convergence of these CMEs into one geomagnetic storm is expected to provide a spectacular view of the Northern Lights tonight.
Why are the aurora borealis different colors?
The colors of the aurora borealis are determined by the interactions between solar particles and atoms in Earth’s atmosphere. Different colors like green, red, blue, and violet result from these interactions at varying altitudes.
Are geomagnetic storms dangerous?
While geomagnetic storms pose minimal danger to the public, they can disrupt certain radio communications and GPS systems. Monitoring of aircraft and satellite communications is essential to ensure normal operations during such events.
About our experts
Get to know our experts:
- Don Polacco: Professor in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Group at the University of Warwick
- Dr. Paul Strom: Assistant Professor in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Group at the University of Warwick
- Dr. Darren Baskill: Outreach officer and lecturer in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Sussex
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
