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- Northern lights will be visible in these states this weekend (newsbreak.com)
A strong solar storm may bring another spectacular display of the Northern Lights this weekend. Several states are expected to be within the viewing zone.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts heightened auroral activity for Friday and Saturday. Their forecast shows a planetary K-index of five, indicating a significant geomagnetic storm.
Residents of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota have the best chances of witnessing the aurora.
If the coronal mass ejection is powerful enough, the lights may also be visible in South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Maine, though the probability is lower.
Increased Northern Lights activity is expected over the next several months. The sun is currently in its solar maximum, a period of intense magnetic activity.
Sunspots during this period can produce solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These interact with Earth’s atmosphere, causing atoms to glow and create the vibrant colors of the aurora.
Predicting the exact time and location of auroras is challenging due to the sun’s immense distance from Earth.
The best viewing time is typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Find a dark location away from light pollution for the best experience.
Smartphone cameras, especially in night mode, can often capture the aurora’s colors even when they are not easily visible to the naked eye.
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- Northern lights will be visible in these states this weekend (newsbreak.com)