A geomagnetic storm will increase the chances of seeing the aurora borealis this weekend.
There’s been plenty of opportunities to spot the northern lights across the U.S. this year. If you haven’t been lucky enough to see them yet, you’ll have another chance soon. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that aurora borealis will be visible on Friday, and they’ll be visible in many states.
The NOAA expects a minor geomagnetic storm caused by a burst of energy and particles released from the sun will cause sightings of the northern lights. Alaska and Canada will have the highest chance of seeing them. But people living in Northern Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, and possibly South Dakota may also see the celestial phenomenon.
Related: Look Up! A ‘Halloween Comet’ Will Be Visible This Month—Here’s How to See It
If you’re interested in spotting the beautiful lights, they will likely be visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. NOAA says that with this geomagnetic storm, there’s a chance for minor radio blackouts due to solar radiation, which can affect low-frequency navigation systems as well as signals and radio frequencies.
There’s been heightened auroral activity recently, and NOAA and NASA report that activity on the sun’s surface has hit a “solar maximum.” The sun has an 11-year cycle called Solar Cycle 25, and it is expected to continue through this current peak until early 2026. This will create even more opportunities to see the northern lights throughout the country.
Leave a Comment