TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The aurora borealis is once again set to dazzle skygazers. Barely a week after a rare G4 geomagnetic storm lit up skies across the globe, the celestial spectacle could potentially dip into mid-latitudes across 11 U.S. states from Tuesday, January 27, through Wednesday, January 28.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the forecast calls for a G1-level storm, which is considered minor on NOAA’s five-tier Space Weather scale.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch the aurora tonight.
When will the aurora borealis be visible?
As noted by People, the aurora borealis is expected to arrive late on Tuesday, January 27, and persist into Wednesday, January 28. Though the exact viewing windows remain uncertain, largely dependent on the speed of the solar wind, the best viewing conditions typically unfold after dark, when Earth rotates into the solar wind’s path.
However, Forbes points out that the 68 percent-lit waxing gibbous moon may make the faint aurora more difficult to see. Still, skywatchers can expect a striking celestial bonus, as the moon’s position near the Pleiades star cluster creates a stunning night-sky display.
Where will the aurora borealis be visible?
Visibility of the aurora will largely favor the northern horizon in 11 U.S. states near the Canadian border. This includes Alaska, the northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine.
How to see the aurora borealis?
For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, viewers are advised to seek out a dark location with minimal light pollution. Patience is also key, along with regularly checking NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast to track real-time activity.
While the aurora may appear faint to the naked eye, smartphone cameras can often capture the colors more vividly. Using a tripod can also help to stabilize your phone even better.
Read: Northern Lights Dazzle US, Europe Amid Intense Solar Storm