If you’re still hoping to see the Northern Lights again to coincide with the May 10-11 event, here’s good news and bad news. The good news is that the Aurora Borealis (the colorful sky phenomenon commonly known as the Aurora Borealis) will return July 30-August. 1. But there’s always bad news, right? This Northern Lights display won’t be as intense or widespread as in May, but it’s better than nothing.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center first issued a geomagnetic storm watch through July 31, but later on Monday extended the watch to August 1.
read more: Why can I never see the Northern Lights where I live?
“There are many complex sunspot groups visible on the solar disk and increased solar activity, including the R3 (strong) solar flare on Sunday night,” the center said in a news release. “Many (coronal mass ejections) are associated with increased activity. “At least four of them are expected to have components from Earth that could arrive from Tuesday to Thursday.”
A coronal mass ejection is essentially a disruption of the sun’s magnetic field, causing an explosion that launches solar particles into space. These solar particles are now on their way to Earth, where they may cause geomagnetic storms.
The center issued a G3 storm watch for July 30, which refers to severe storms, and a G2 storm watch for July 31 through August, which refers to moderate storms. 1. The event of May 10-11 was visible even in areas where the Northern Lights are not normally seen, and was rated a G5 or extreme storm. This one won’t be as intense, but have hope, depending on where you live.
read more: Discover 6 planets in the sky simultaneously during the upcoming planet cruise on August 23
“If forecast conditions occur during the evening hours, auroras may occur as far south as the Northeastern United States, the upper Midwest and other northern states, including northern Oregon,” the forecast center reported.
Want a low-key reminder? If your hometown is expecting to see the Northern Lights, keep an eye on social media over the next few nights. Once your neighbors start seeing the Northern Lights, you know they’ll be sharing photos and locations.
When and how to see the Northern Lights
City dwellers are at a disadvantage when viewing the Northern Lights due to light pollution, which is exactly what it sounds like, the brightening of urban night skies caused by streetlights and other sources. This inhibits our ability to see stars and planets.
If you are determined to try to see the Northern Lights and your area is on the road, you can try driving to a rural area with no street lights. But unfortunately, the weather forecast might get in the way. Cloudy weather can cover any state at any time, making auroras even more unpredictable.
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There is no specific time for viewing or photographing aurora events. If the sky is dark where you are, you might be able to see it. It can come and go. You might see an aurora and think it’s gone, only to have the sky light up again an hour later.
It’s a busy summer season in the sky. A planet parade is expected to take place on August 23, showcasing six planets, and an upcoming new star is also expected to light up the night sky, but the exact date is unknown.
