If you’re still hoping for another aurora borealis display to match the May 10-11 event, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that the aurora borealis, the colorful sky event commonly referred to as the northern lights, will be returning July 30-Aug. 1. There’s always bad news, though, right? This northern lights display won’t be as strong or as widespread as the May showing, but something is better than nothing.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center first posted a geomagnetic storm watch running through July 31 but later Monday extended that watch through Aug. 1.
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“A number of complex sunspot groups are present on the visible solar disk and solar activity has increased, to include an R3 (strong) solar flare Sunday evening,” the center posted. “A number of (coronal mass ejections) have been associated with the increased activity, and at least four of these have anticipated Earth-directed components, with possible arrivals beginning Tuesday on into Thursday.”
A coronal mass ejection is essentially a break in the sun’s magnetic field, which causes an explosion that launches solar particles into space. Those solar particles are now are on their way to Earth, where they can cause a geomagnetic storm.
The center issued a G3 storm watch, referring to a strong storm, for July 30, and a G2 storm watch, referring to a moderate storm, for July 31-Aug. 1. The May 10-11 event was seen even in areas that don’t usually get to see the aurora borealis and was rated a G5, or extreme storm. This one won’t be that strong, but keep your hopes up, depending on where you live.
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“Should the forecast conditions occur during the late evening hours, the aurora could become visible at times as far south as the northeast US through the upper midwest, and across the rest of the northern states to include northern Oregon,” the prediction center reported.
Want a low-key reminder? If your home region is expected to get to see the aurora borealis, keep an eye on social media the next few nights. Once your neighbors start seeing the northern lights, you know they’ll be sharing photos and locations.
When and how to see the aurora borealis
City dwellers are at a disadvantage when it comes to seeing the northern lights due to light pollution, which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, the brightening of the night sky in the city, caused by streetlights and other sources. That inhibits our ability to see stars and planets.
If you’re determined to try to see the aurora borealis, and your region of the country is in the path, you can try driving out to a rural area with no streetlights. But unfortunately, the weather forecast can get in your way. Cloudy conditions can roll over any state at any time, making aurora sightings even tougher to predict.
There’s no specific time that’s best to see or photograph an aurora event. If the sky where you are is dark, you might be able to see it., and that’s about as specific as forecasters can get. And it can come and go. You might see an aurora, then think it’s disappeared, only to have the sky light up again an hour later.
This is a busy summer for sky events. A planet parade showcasing six planets is expected Aug. 23, and an upcoming nova is also expected to light up the night sky, but with no known exact date.