More states than previously predicted may have an opportunity to see the northern lights Tuesday as a geomagnetic storm could the phenomenon further south to become visible for more stargazers, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast.
Aurora borealis may be visible in Alaska, Minnesota and Canada.
Auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine, indicating the northern lights “will become brighter” and could “be quite pleasing to look at.”
The forecast had initially been a two, meaning the lights would have been “not very active,” but minor geomagnetic storm conditions—caused by a burst of energy and particles released by the sun—intensified later in the day Tuesday.
Solar radiation, or energy released by the sun in the form of light waves, may also expose passengers and crew in high-flying aircraft to radiation and cause minor disruption to satellite operations Tuesday, according to NOAA.
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There is a chance of viewing the northern lights across northern Canada and Alaska and the view line—marking a minimal likelihood of seeing the phenomenon—has expanded to include northern parts of Idaho, Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well almost all of North Dakota, meaning stargazers in this area have a chance of seeing auroral activity. (See the updated viewing line below.)
The northern lights forecast for Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.
It’s best to travel away from light pollution to a high vantage point to see the northern lights, which become visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to NOAA.
Adobe recommends setting a regular camera’s focus to the farthest possible setting with a wide aperture, low shutter speed and high ISO value. If using a smartphone, Visit Iceland suggests using night mode and a low shutter speed.
NOAA and NASA believe activity on the sun’s surface has reached a “solar maximum,” resulting in more sunspots and coronal mass ejections. This peak is expected to continue into 2025 and early 2026, with more opportunities to see the northern lights in more states. Increased geomagnetic activity in the Earth’s atmosphere earlier this month pulled the northern lights as far south as Texas. Other celestial events have also crossed over the night sky in recent weeks, including the Orionids meteor shower, an “ancient” comet that won’t be seen for another 80,000 years and another comet that became visible during the day.