Aurora chasers, be careful! A rapid surge of solar wind is currently hurtling toward Earth at speeds of up to 430 miles per second (700 kilometers per second), conditions that could generate geomagnetic storms tonight (April 17) and tomorrow (April 18).
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has announced a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch, but Met Office forecasters say a strong (G3) geomagnetic storm is possible if activity intensifies.
Geomagnetic storms are ranked as follows: G scalefrom G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). Stronger storms can cause the aurora to move much further away from the poles, making it visible throughout the mid-latitudes.
aurora when to form solar wind interact with earth’s magnetic fieldsending charged particles into the upper atmosphere. There, they collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen, transferring energy that is emitted as light, producing the colorful displays seen in the night sky. The stronger the solar wind, the more dynamic and widespread the auroras can be.
Where can I see the Northern Lights tonight?
Depending on whether conditions are right to trigger a geomagnetic storm, aurora borealis could be visible across the northern United States tonight. However, remember that auroras are never guaranteed and depend on how well the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetic field.
|
magnetic storm |
As far south as possible |
|---|---|
|
G3 – Strong |
Illinois and Oregon |
|
G2 – Moderate |
new york and idaho |
|
G1 – Minor |
Northern Michigan and Maine |
Aurora forecast for the Northern Hemisphere provided by the UK Met Office
What time should I look for the aurora tonight?
The Northern Lights can be seen tonight and tomorrow (April 17-18) across the northern states of the United States.
According to NOAA 3-day forecastactivity is expected to peak in the next period.
|
Time (EDT) |
Time (GMT) |
activity |
|---|---|---|
|
From 5pm (April 17th) to 2am |
21:00 (April 17th) – 06:00 (April 18th) |
Moderate G2 conditions may occur |
|
From 2am to 5am |
0600-0900 (April 18th) |
Possible minor G1 condition |
How can I see the Northern Lights from where I live?
Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the northern horizon, as far away from light pollution as possible.
- Scan the sky using your phone’s camera. Cell phone cameras are great at catching the faint aurora borealis before your eyes can see them. This will tell you which direction to direct your attention to.
- Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 30 minutes. This helps develop night vision.
- Please come dressed warmly! One of the fun parts of aurora hunting is tracking them. You won’t want to miss the show once it starts, so be prepared to sit or stand for hours if the weather is nice.
We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One of the options I use is “My Aurora Forecast & Alerts”. Available for both. iOS and android. However, similar apps should work fine.
In the meantime…look for the Lyrid meteor!
If you’re heading out to look for the Northern Lights tonight or over the weekend, be careful. Lyrid meteor shower Too.
The Lyrid meteor shower will be active from April 16th to April 25th, peaking before dawn on April 22nd.
The constellation Lyra appears to radiate from the radiant of Lyra, which rises in the northwest and climbs higher in the sky into the early morning hours. However, be careful not to look directly at the radiant point. Meteors appear to originate from the constellation Lyra, but longer, more dramatic shooting stars often appear from further away, so scan as much of the sky around the radiant as possible.
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