Northern lights will light up the sky tonight: Here’s when to watch in your state

The Northern Lights which are also known as the aurora borealis, are a spectacular natural light display that occurs in the night sky, primarily in high-latitude regions around the Arctic. Their counterpart in the Southern Hemisphere is called the aurora australis, or the Southern Lights.

The phenomenon is a the result of a complex interaction between the Sun and Earth’s atmosphere.

• The Sun constantly releases a stream of charged particles, known as the solar wind, into space.
• Earth’s Magnetic Field: Earth is surrounded by a protective magnetic field (the magnetosphere) that deflects most of the solar wind.
• Particle Funneling: However, some of these charged particles are funneled by the magnetic field towards the North and South Poles.
• Atmospheric Collision: When these particles collide with atoms and molecules of gases (like oxygen and nitrogen) in Earth’s upper atmosphere, they excite the atoms.
• Light Emission: To release this extra energy, the atoms emit light, creating the stunning, colorful displays we see as the aurora. The color of the light depends on the type of gas and the altitude where the collision occurs.

The colors of the Northern Lights depend on the type of gas being hit and the altitude at which the collision occurs:

Green: The most common color, produced by oxygen atoms at altitudes of about 60 to 190 miles (100 to 300 km).

Red: A less common but stunning color, produced by oxygen at higher altitudes, above 150 miles (250 km).

Blue and Purple/Pink: These colors are caused by nitrogen molecules, and can occur at various altitudes, especially at the lower edges of the aurora.

Where to watch the Northern Lights: September 1

According to space weather forecasters, there is a strong possibility of seeing the Northern Lights on Monday, September 1, in parts of the United States and Canada due to a recent solar eruption.

To maximize your chances of seeing the aurora, you should find dark location with the following some of the best locations to watch in the USA and Canada.

Canada

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories: Often called the “Aurora Capital of the World,” this location is directly under the auroral oval, giving it a very high chance of sightings.

Whitehorse, Yukon: Another prime location for aurora hunting with very clear skies.

Churchill, Manitoba: Located on the shores of Hudson Bay, this area is also a top spot for aurora viewing.

Northern provinces: The aurora may be visible across many Canadian provinces, including the Prairies, Ontario, and Quebec.

United States

Alaska: Fairbanks is considered one of the top destinations in the world for viewing the Northern Lights due to its location under the auroral oval and its dark skies.

Northern Tier States: Given the expected strength of the storm, the aurora may be visible low on the northern horizon in states far south of the usual auroral zone. This includes states in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho), the Upper Midwest (Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan), and the Northeast (New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine). Some reports even suggest a faint glow could be seen as far south as Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon.

The coming nights, especially September 1st, are being described by some as one of the best chances to see the aurora since the spring.

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