Topline

A geomagnetic storm is expected to hit Earth over the weekend and the northern lights are likely to move further south, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, after forecasters warned of the lingering effects of a recent coronal mass ejection.

Important facts

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Where will the Northern Lights be visible?

If the Kp index stays just below five for Saturday and Sunday, most northern areas of Canada and Alaska will be able to view the Northern Lights. A line of sight for this Kp index – which marks a “moderate” aurora – tends to fall below the Canadian border and into northern Iowa, with a high probability of the aurora in northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana and northern Iowa visible is Dakota, northern Wisconsin and upper Michigan, according to NOAA. Areas in other states have a lower chance of seeing the phenomenon, including Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

What is the best way to see the Northern Lights?

According to NOAA, the Northern Lights are best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time when from a high vantage point away from light pollution. When conditions are optimal, the colorful displays can be seen from up to 620 miles away, the agency said.

What is the best way to photograph the Northern Lights?

According to NASA, smartphone cameras are often more sensitive to the colors of the aurora borealis and can capture the northern lights when night mode is enabled. If you’re using a regular camera, National Geographic recommends using a wide-angle lens, a high ISO, and as far away as possible.

Important background

According to NASA, a recent surge in aurora activity is expected to last through 2025 and into 2026 after activity on the sun’s surface reached a “solar maximum” in October. Activity on the Sun’s surface waxes and wanes over an 11-year period, resulting in a “solar minimum” and a “solar maximum.” This peak increases the rate of space weather events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, or plasma bubbles, that burst along with the flares. Electrons from these events interact with oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere, causing molecules and atoms of these gases to become “excited” before releasing small bursts of energy in the form of light. The strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades hit Earth in May, NASA said, likely leading to the strongest auroral displays in the “last 500 years.”

What you should pay attention to

A pair of satellites launched in December by the European Space Agency are flying to a point in Earth’s orbit to study the sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere. The Proba-3 mission will create artificial solar eclipses for up to six hours at a time by blocking out sunlight. This allows the agency to study coronal mass ejections, why the solar corona is hotter than the sun’s surface, and how solar winds accelerate. Both satellites will remain in orbit for the next two years before gradually returning to Earth’s atmosphere. The first images from the mission are expected to be released in March.

Further reading

ForbesNorthern Lights will reach a 500-year peak in 2024 – here you can see Aurora Borealis in 2025From Ty RoushForbesSatellites to create artificial solar eclipses just launched – we can see images hereFrom Ty Roush