Topline
The northern lights could be visible from some northern U.S. states, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, although experts are not predicting any space weather that typically make the lights appear brighter and visible further from the north pole.
The aurora could be visible from some northern states on Thursday night.
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Key Facts
NOAA is predicting a Kp index of four out of nine on Thursday, meaning the northern lights could appear brighter and visible with more “motion and formations.”
However, NOAA’s three-day forecast is not predicting any space weather events, which usually make the aurora appear visible from states further south.
Where Could The Northern Lights Be Visible?
The aurora has a “low” likelihood of visibility from states along the U.S.-Canadian border, according to NOAA’s forecast map. These include parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Most of mainland Alaska also falls within the “high” likelihood region. However, the Sun sets very late in Alaska during the summer months, meaning it likely won’t get dark enough for viewers to catch a glimpse of the aurora.
NOAA’s forecast map for Thursday.
NOAA
What’s the Best Way to View the Northern Lights?
Experts at NOAA recommend viewers travel as far north as possible, towards Earth’s magnetic north pole located in northern Canada. Viewers should then position themselves on a vantage point with a clear view of the sky, ideally away from city lights or other sources of light pollution. NOAA also recommends viewers line up their trips to coincide with the hours the aurora is most active—typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
What’s the Best Way to Photograph the Northern Lights?
An expert who spoke to National Geographic said that smartphones typically have cameras that can take quality photos of the aurora, provided they use the right settings and equipment. All photographers should bring a tripod and a remote timer in order to keep their devices still for a long enough period of time to capture the lights in the nighttime darkness. They should also remember to switch their devices to night mode and turn off flash. If available, they should also aim to use RAW image format.