If you are someone who has always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis but never got an opportunity to visit Iceland, Norway, or Finland, this is the best time for you. A total of 13 states in the US may have the Aurora Borealis visible in the night sky this Monday, the 2nd of June, or Tuesday, the 3rd of June. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast a G1 geomagnetic storm that may make it possible for citizens of the US to witness the northern lights. A similar “extreme” G5 geomagnetic storm also hit last weekend, resulting in residents of California witnessing the lights. The following article brings you a detailed list of the states that may see the Aurora Borealis this Monday and Tuesday.
Residents Of These States May Get To See The Aurora Borealis
The Earth is soon going to approach the summer solstice on the 21st of June, which means the United States is currently in the best position to witness the phenomenon. According to the forecast, a geomagnetic storm of value G1 will occur on the night of 2nd June throughout the morning of 3rd June. The states that are present on the U.S.-Canada border are going to have a better chance of witnessing the northern lights. The following are the states that may get to see the Aurora Borealis on Monday and Tuesday.
- Washington
- Northern Idaho
- Montana
- Northeast Wyoming
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- New York
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Maine
How Intense Is The Aurora Borealis Going To Be?
According to the forecast from NOAA, the Kp index, which offers a rough idea of how intense the Aurora Borealis is, is going to reach as high as 5. The agency states that when the Kp index reaches anywhere between 3 and 5, the aurora will move further from the poles and become brighter as well. It also states that the auroral activity is going to rise, which basically means the residents will see more motion and formations. The agency suggests that if you are present in the right place, the northern lights will be pretty pleasing to the eye.
When Exactly Can You Witness The Northern Lights?
The forecast suggests that the Aurora Borealis is going to be visible throughout Monday night and Tuesday morning. However, the exact time when the residents can witness the Aurora in the skies depends on the data from NASA’s DSCOVR and ACE satellites. These satellites give a thirty-minute warning before the Aurora becomes visible in the sky after they measure the solar wind’s speed and magnetic intensity.
How To Capture The Perfect Shot Of The Northern Lights?
If you are someone who is planning to capture the beauty of the Northern Lights with your phone, you can use the “Night Mode” in your phone camera to capture the perfect shot. When you prepare to click the pictures of the Aurora Borealis, make sure you switch your phone settings to the primary lens and not the super-wide one. You can also use a tripod or a phone stand to make sure no camera shake ruins your shot. If you don’t have a tripod available with you, just place the phone on a steady object, and it should do the job.
What Is The Scientific Reason Behind The Formation Of the Aurora Borealis?
The main reason behind the formation of the Aurora Borealis is the solar wind. It is basically a stream of charged particles from the sun that interact with the magnetic field of our planet, Earth. The magnetic field of Earth usually deflects most of the solar wind. However, some of the charged particles manage to accelerate along the magnetic field toward the polar regions. These particles then collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, excite them, and the particles release light as well as energy. People present in the southerly latitudes can witness the Aurora Borealis when there is a spike in solar activity.
