These 10 States Could See Aurora Borealis Tonight
News Context
At a glance
- Ten northern states have a chance to see the aurora borealis this weekend as fast solar winds arrive from a coronal hole on the sun, the National Oceanic...
- The aurora, frequently enough called the northern lights, will be possibly visible Saturday and Sunday.
- You can track the aurora's potential visibility with NOAA's aurora viewline forecast.
Ten northern states have a chance to see the aurora borealis this weekend as fast solar winds arrive from a coronal hole on the sun, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Friday.
The northern lights could be visible in parts of the U.S. Saturday and Sunday.
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The aurora, frequently enough called the northern lights, will be possibly visible Saturday and Sunday. here’s what you need to know:
- Visibility: The Kp index, which measures how far south the aurora can be seen, is predicted to be 5 out of 9 both nights. A 5 indicates the lights “will be quite pleasing to look at.”
- Solar Activity: NOAA expects minor to moderate solar activity through the weekend, driven by a “large, positive polarity coronal hole.”
- What are coronal holes? Thes are areas on the sun where the magnetic field lines open up, allowing solar wind to escape and travel through space.
You can track the aurora’s potential visibility with NOAA’s aurora viewline forecast. More information about viewing tips is available on NOAA’s website.
NOAA’s full forecast discussion is available here.