US residents in 15 states could see a show tonight and throughout the week. Incoming coronal mass ejections could trigger geomagnetic storms that ignite the northern lights in plain sight, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Forecasters are predicting geomagnetic activity and northern lights from November 10-12 in states including New York, Minnesota, Iowa and Alaska, among others. This is due to a trio of coronal mass ejections that began on November 7.
NOAA
As previously reported, NOAA’s latest aurora forecast map indicates that 15 U.S. states are entirely or partially above line of sight. This is not an exact science, as it is entirely possible that those who live below the line of sight could spot something in the night sky. The auroras are fickle, so it is also possible that the light show will be discreet. A certain number of conditions must be met for a perfect display.
If you’re planning to head out tonight to check it out, here are some tips. Make sure you find a north-facing viewpoint with a clear view of the horizon. You want to be as far away from light pollution as possible, so stay away from big cities. Use a cell phone to scan the sky, as the camera is actually better at picking up faint lights before they are visible to the naked eye. This can help determine where to focus attention.
The last truly powerful and widespread aurora event in the United States. This geomagnetic storm was one of the strongest in the last two decades. This week’s activity is unlikely to be as striking.
