Topline
The northern lights have a small chance to be visible from parts of the northern U.S. on Sunday, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as the Earth still witnesses the impacts of geomagnetic storms caused by high speed solar winds.
NOAA is predicting space weather that could impact the northern lights.
Anadolu via Getty Images
Key Facts
NOAA predicted a Kp index of four out of nine for Sunday night, meaning the aurora could appear “brighter” with more “motion and formations,” and potentially visible further from the magnetic north pole.
Forecasters are expecting a coronal mass ejection that left the Sun between Wednesday and Thursday could arrive at the Earth by Sunday—these typically interact with the Earth’s magnetosphere and cause the aurora to appear visible further south.
This solar material could combine with solar winds from a coronal hole, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast, and cause minor geomagnetic storms and an “isolated period” of more powerful storms.
What Are Coronal Holes?
Coronal holes are large, relatively cooler regions of the Sun that appear as dark spaces in solar photography, according to NOAA. These regions are less dense and have unipolar magnetic fields, which allow very fast streams of solar winds to escape into space. When these solar winds interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, they can cause geomagnetic storms. The storms predicted for Sunday are only “minor,” but even these have the added effect of causing the aurora to appear visible from parts of the continental United States.
Where Could the Northern Lights Be Visible?
The aurora has a “low likelihood” of visibility in states along the U.S.-Canadian border for Sunday, including the very northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Most of Alaska could also see the northern lights, with a large portion of the state falling in the “high likelihood” region of NOAA’s aurora forecast map.
What’s the Best Way to View the Northern Lights?
Experts recommend viewers travel as far north as possible before trying to catch the lights. Viewers should position themselves on a vantage point away from sources of light pollution with a clear view of the sky facing north. They should also try to time their trips to the hours wehn the aurora is most active—typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
What’s the Best Way to Photograph the Northern Lights?
Photographers who spoke to National Geographic said smartphone cameras can take quality photos of the aurora, given users are working with the right settings and equipment. Prospective photographers should remember to bring a tripod and remote timer, as all cameras need to sit still for long periods of time in order to gather enough light to capture photos of the dark sky. Smartphone users should also remember to shoot in RAW image format in night mode with their flash turned off.