Will you see the Northern Lights this weekend? The Northern Lights may be seen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the continental U.S. after the strongest solar flare of the current solar cycle.
An X9-category solar flare — a powerful burst of energy — was produced by sunspot AR3842 on Oct. 3, according to SpaceWeather.com. Only the most intense flares are categorised as X-class. Just hours later, the sun unleashed a lesser solar flare, classed as M6.7. On Oct. 1 a X7.1 flare was seen by NASA.
Solar activity is currently at a 23-year high. The sun is approaching “solar maximum” this year or next, with SWPC’s latest forecast stating that it will happen between August 2024 and January 2025. May 10’s extreme G5 geomagnetic storm was the most severe in the past two decades.
When To See The Northern Lights This Weekend
In the wake of this latest solar flare, a coronal mass ejection — a cloud of charged particles — was hurled in the direction of Earth. It was the second CME on the same day, meaning a halo CME is now incoming.
Space weather forecasters are predicting favorable geomagnetic storm conditions over the next few nights, with a G3 (Strong) geomagnetic storm predicted for Oct. 4, Oct. 5 and Oct. 6.
Where To See The Northern Lights Thid Weekend
A G3 geomagnetic storm is being forecast, though take that with a pinch of salt because the error band means that it could, in practice, turn out to be a stronger G4 or G5.
G3 storms can generally be seen as far south as Illinois and Oregon while G4 storms can generally be seen as far south as Alabama and northern California.
Skywatchers are advised to check NOAA’s aurora view line, which is available for tonight and tomorrow night, and its 30-minute forecast and X account, where the latest forecasts are posted. For those in the U.K., Lancaster University’s AuroraWatch website is where to go for the latest information.
Get away from urban light pollution to get the best views because light pollution drastically affects the visibility of aurora.
How The Aurora’s Kp Index Works
The greatest expected Kp index for the aurora borealis for Oct. 4-6 is 7. According to NOAA, that means, “the aurora will move even further from the poles and will become quite bright and active. At this geomagnetic activity level, it might be possible to see the aurora from the northern edge of the United States.”
However, it would not take much for a Kp 8 to 9 display, during which NOAA states that, “the aurora will move even further towards the equator, and it will become very bright and very active. These are the events that create the best aurora, and the extended auroral oval will be observable by most people. At these levels, the aurora may be seen directly overhead from the northern states of the U.S.”
Best Places To See The Northern Lights
Dark sky destinations perfect for seeing the Northern Lights includes an an International Dark Sky Place (U.S./worldwide), a Dark-Sky Preserve (Canada) or a Starlight Reserve (Spain). Or just look at a light pollution map because anywhere with a dark northern horizon will potentially give you a good view.
What Causes The Northern Lights?
The solar wind is a stream of charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth’s magnetic field, which causes the Northern Lights. As charged particles strike Earth’s magnetic field, they accelerate down its magnetic field lines at the north and south poles to create ovals of green and red.
Aurora is typically seen in polar regions at around latitudes of 70 degrees north and south, but during extreme geomagnetic conditions— usually when CMEs arrive at Earth one after another, or in tandem — the auroral oval can bulge, with displays then seen as far as 40 degrees north and south.
Scientists think that frequent and powerful geomagnetic storms will continue through 2026.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
