If you’ve ever wanted to see the northern lights without heading to Alaska or Canada, tonight could be worth stepping outside. A coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on Tuesday is expected to reach Earth and potentially trigger a G1 geomagnetic storm, giving parts of the U.S. another chance to see the aurora.
NOAA expects the activity to pick up around 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 8, with a potentially stronger window around 5 a.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 9. If the storm reaches G2 levels, the aurora could become visible much farther south than usual.
Where to Look Tonight
The best chances under the current G1 forecast are across Alaska and the northernmost states including Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.
If the storm reaches G2, the auroral oval could reach even farther south into Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, Pennsylvania and New York. That offers a possible opportunity for stargazers in 22 states to view the event.
Of course, there are no guarantees of seeing the aurora. Cloud cover, light pollution, and the precise strength of the storm can all make a difference. The best thing to do is to get to a dark location with a good view of the northern horizon. The best odds are in rural areas, parks, and open spaces, away from city lights.
Don’t be surprised if your phone has a different view than yours. Smartphone cameras can capture faint auroral colors that are hard to see with the naked eye, especially in Night Mode.
Check NOAA’s real-time aurora forecast before heading out for the most accurate timing. As a CME can change its arrival, the predicted viewing window is not carved in stone.
If you want to photograph it, you don’t need a camera costing a fortune. You can get a phone to capture something steady with Night Mode on and the glow. Instead of trying to snap quick photos, keep the camera still and let it gather light.
And the best part? You don’t have to rush out at the last minute to see the lights. For millions of people south of the usual aurora-viewing regions, looking up at the right time tonight might be all it takes.
