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More states across the northern U.S. could have an opportunity to see the northern lights Wednesday, after earlier geomagnetic storms pulled the phenomenon farther south, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Some radio blackouts are expected later in the week, forecasters said.
The NOAA forecast a Kp index of four on a scale of nine for Wednesday night, suggesting the northern lights will be “quite pleasing to look at” for those in the right areas while the light displays become brighter and more active.
Wednesday’s auroral forecast follows some geomagnetic storms Tuesday night and earlier in the morning, with a then-Kp index of five, as NOAA said northern lights would likely be visible in parts of Wyoming, Iowa, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.
Similar northern lights displays are likely through Friday, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast, with a maximum Kp index above or near three projected for Thursday and Friday.
Some minor to moderate radio blackouts are likely through Friday, possibly impacting high-frequency radio communications, NOAA said, with a “slight” chance for strong or “greater” blackout periods, though it’s unlikely to have a broader impact.
Alaska and northern Canada will have the highest chance of seeing the northern lights, with a lower likelihood forecast for parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, and Upper Michigan. An even lower chance is expected in parts of South Dakota, Wisconsin and Maine. (See map below.)
Wednesday's view line.
A north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution is best for viewing the northern lights, which are more visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, NOAA said.
A regular camera with a tripod, a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting is recommended for capturing the northern lights, photography experts told National Geographic. With a regular phone, NOAA suggests turning on night mode and disabling flash.
More states have had a chance to see the northern lights in recent months, after a “solar maximum” was achieved on the sun’s surface in October, according to NASA. This “solar maximum” coincides with a “solar minimum,” both of which are achieved at different points of the sun’s 11-year cycle and indicate corresponding increases or decreases in solar activity. This activity, which includes events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, is responsible for the aurora borealis displays. Electrons from these events collide with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere as they become “excited” and release colorful, swirling displays in the sky.