Northern Lights aka Aurora Borealis

[easyrider]

It looks like the next few years will be pretty good for seeing the Northern Lights.

Bill

SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

SOLAR CYCLE UPDATE: Solar Cycle 25 continues to overperform. Sunspot counts for Sept. 2021 were the highest in more than 5 years. And, for the 11th month in a row, the sunspot number has significantly exceeded the official forecast.



The plot above shows sunspot counts vs. time. The red curve traces the forecast issued by the NOAA/NASA Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel in 2019. It calls for a relatively weak solar cycle peaking in July 2025.

The sun has a mind of its own, though. Higher-than-expected sunspot counts suggest a stronger cycle, with a peak occuring in late 2024 instead of mid-2025. This is good news for aurora watchers, but maybe not so good for the Internet

 

[jabberwocky]

We had a beautiful northern lights show in the sky last night. I brought the kids outside to see them. First time that the youngest two got a good view.

I hope you’re right that we have more solar activity. It’s an amazing sight.

 

[Tacoma]

Where are you located Jabberwocky? I am really hoping to see them. It has been years.

 

[Passepartout]

The current show of Aurora, we were told last night was brought on courtesy of a Solar Flare (blowup) on the sun that sent a wave toward Earth. These trigger aurorae and can disrupt communication on Earth.

 

[jabberwocky]

Where are you located Jabberwocky? I am really hoping to see them. It has been years.

Edmonton. We have an acreage just outside the city so we avoid much of the light pollution.

I imagine you'll be able to see them soon if they aren't already showing up near Calgary.

 

[noreenkate]

My kids are there now- have to say kinda jealous

 

[Bunk]

Is there a spot in Eastern Canada where we would likely see the Northern Lights and that would be easy to reach from NYC.

 

[easyrider]

Is there a spot in Eastern Canada where we would likely see the Northern Lights and that would be easy to reach from NYC.

Our plan was to head to Yellowknife but covid hit. We were going in late September with no moon. It is dark skys and isn't as cold is why we choose September.

The Norther Lights have been spotted in Washington State the last couple of nights. I haven't seen them here yet but it could happen.

Bill

Photos: Stunning Northern Lights dance over Seattle — here are tips for catching the next one

The Northern Lights are a mesmerizing but infrequent occurrence at our latitude in Seattle. Stargazers got a treat Monday night if they were looking northwards, as a moderate G2 geomagnetic… Read More

www.geekwire.com

 

[Brett]

No sightings of the aurora borealis in Virginia

 

[easyrider]

Two nights ago the Norther Lights were seen in Central Washington and people were posting their pics on fb. It looked more like a cloud to me so maybe their pictures don't capture what they saw. It might be that the Norther Lights will make it to Washington State more often because of the predicted solar activity in the next few years. That would work for me.

Bill

 

[mdurette]

The staff of the observatory at the top of the Mt Washington (new hampshire) posted some pics from last night.

 

[easyrider]

A CME left the sun yesterday and should hit Earth on Saturday. It's a biggie. There could be Northern Lights along the USA and Canadian border again. It looks like we might have a clear night on Saturday and not so much moon so the conditions in Washington might be decent to see them if they make it.

Bill

https://spaceweather.com/

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: A strong G3-class geomagnetic storm is possible on Oct. 30th when the CME from yesterday's X1-flare is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. Such storms can spark naked-eye auroras as far south as Illinois and Oregon (typically 50° geomagnetic latitude) and photographic auroras at even lower latitudes. Lesser G1 and G2-class storms could persist through Halloween as Earth passes through the CME's wake. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.

THE CORONAL MASS EJECTION: Here it comes. A coronal mass ejection (CME) launched into space on Oct. 28th by exploding sunspot AR2887 is heading almost directly for Earth. SOHO coronagraphs recorded the CME racing away from the sun faster than 1457 km/s (3.3 million mph):

 

[easyrider]

What a no show event. It was cold last night too. Cold and dark with no Northern Lights.

Bill

 

[Thembsed]

You're absolutely right. This heightened solar activity increases the chances of spectacular Northern Lights in Iceland displays, making the next few years an exciting time for skywatchers.

 

[WinniWoman]

Saw them a while ago in our backyard and down by the lake but was more visible with my cell phone than the naked eye. A lot of light pollution where we live.

Northern New Hampshire and Vermont get lots of displays, but you have to be in the right place at the exact right time and honestly I’m usually in my pajamas dozing off by then. Lol!

 

[moonstone]

Is there a spot in Eastern Canada where we would likely see the Northern Lights and that would be easy to reach from NYC.

We've seen them from near our home which is about a 90 min drive from Toronto. Not that thats close to NYC, but you may be able to see them in rural NY or PA well north of you. You just need to go to a very dark area with a clear view to the north & west horizon. We do live in a rural area but are surrounded by trees so we need to get in the car and drive up the concession road a bit to look across the farm fields. It is always a crap shoot on when to see them but usually when there is a big solar flare it is in the news with a note of when to expect a show.

~Diane

 

[chapjim]

There's a webcam from Churchill, Manitoba. https://polarbearsinternational.org/northern-lights-live-cam/

I've checked it a few times but Manitoba is a couple of time zones from Northern VA and days are very long there this time of year. The webcam works but I've never been up late enough to see anything except terrain.

Maybe it's solar flares that mess up my Verizon FiOS WiFi. NOT!

 

[easyrider]

I had forgotten about this thread. In May 2025 we had some opportunities to see the Northern Lights in our area but they came on after 4am and I fell asleep both nights waiting. In Magical May 2024 the Northern Lights showed up at our home and really lit us up. Right before the Northern Light show we went to New Orleans on a II getaway that May and managed to get pretty close to the stage to see the Rolling Stones. Our grand daughter and her husband, both under 30, flew down to hang out on this trip. Best May ever.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

 

[moonstone]

All of Manitoba (including Churchill & points north of there) is in the Central time zone, the same as North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and 1 hour different from Virginia. And yes, the days are longer the further north you go, so at this time of year the sun is setting around 10:30pm in Churchill Manitoba and rises around 4am, so not a lot of darkness.

Thanks for the webcam link, I've bookmarked it.

~Diane

I've checked it a few times but Manitoba is a couple of time zones from Northern VA and days are very long there this time of year.