The Northern Lights Coming to America: What You Need to Know!

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The Northern Lights are so much more than just a pretty green light in the night sky. The natural phenomenon is a spectacular sight to behold, and many people who live in areas that see regular displays of the Northern Lights can attest to that. If you’ve been fortunate enough to witness them yourself, you know they’re one of the most amazing sights you can see as an amateur astronomer. But if you haven’t seen the Northern Lights yet, there’s good news! These amazing lights may move farther south into the mainland U.S., especially on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning this week. So before you book that expensive trip across town (or across the country)… keep reading for all the details on how and when you can see them closer to home!

How to see the Northern Lights in 2018

The Northern Lights occur when charged particles from the sun interact with the earth’s magnetic field. The charged particles collide with gas molecules in the upper atmosphere and cause those molecules to emit light. The lights are more visible in the winter months when the earth’s rotation puts us in a better position to see them. During the rest of the year, the lights are visible in the Arctic Circle. But during the winter months, they can be seen as far south as the upper Midwest. The most important thing to remember if you want to see the Northern Lights is that you have to be very patient. It can take hours, or even a few days, for the lights to show up, depending on conditions in the upper atmosphere. You also need clear skies, so it’s best to check the forecast for your area before going out to look for them.

Tuesday, January 16: Best day to see the aurora

The forecast calls for a slight chance of seeing the Northern Lights on both Monday and Tuesday. But give it a rest on Wednesday, because the forecast calls for Mostly Cloudy skies on Wednesday night. If you want to see the lights on Tuesday night, you’ll need to head outside around 9 or 10 p.m., as the forecast for Tuesday night calls for Partly Cloudy skies. The Calgary, Alberta forecast calls for Mostly Cloudy skies on Tuesday night, and an 80% chance of clear skies on Wednesday evening, which makes both of these nights great opportunities to see the aurora in Alberta. The Edmonton, Alberta forecast calls for Clear skies on Tuesday night and a slight chance of clouds on Wednesday night, so Edmontonians have a 50/50 chance of seeing the aurora. The Vancouver, British Columbia forecast calls for Mostly Cloudy skies on Tuesday night, but mostly clear skies on Wednesday night, with a chance of rain on Thursday.

Wednesday, January 17: Second best day to see the aurora

If you miss the lights on Tuesday night, don’t despair, because you might still see them on Wednesday night. The forecast calls for a chance of seeing the Northern Lights both on Tuesday and Wednesday night. But Wednesday night’s forecast is slightly better, with mostly clear skies in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. The forecast for Vancouver calls for Mostly Cloudy skies on Tuesday night, but a 50% chance of clear skies Wednesday night. The forecast for Calgary calls for a chance of clear skies both Tuesday and Wednesday night. The Edmonton forecast calls for Mostly Cloudy skies on Tuesday night, but mostly clear skies on Wednesday night.

Beyond January 17: Other times to view the aurora

If you miss the lights on Tuesday, Wednesday, or even the weekend after, don’t despair. There are many other opportunities to catch the lights in the upcoming weeks. The forecast for Vancouver calls for Mostly Cloudy skies on Thursday, but clear skies on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The forecast for Calgary calls for a chance of clear skies on Thursday, but mostly cloudy skies on Friday and Saturday, with a chance of light rain on Saturday. The forecast for Edmonton calls for Mostly Cloudy skies on Thursday, but a chance of light rain on Friday and a slight chance of rain Saturday. There is no one source that gives an exact date and time when the Northern Lights will occur. They cannot be predicted and their occurrence is related to many different factors, such as solar activity, the amount of energy emitted by the sun, and how this energy is reflected and/or absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere. In general, the lights are most visible two to three days after a solar flare. The best advice is to just keep an eye on the forecast and, when there is a chance of clear skies, go outside and look north.

Tips for viewing the aurora

– Stay warm! The Northern Lights are a winter phenomenon, and the evenings are generally much colder than the days. Dress in layers, and be sure to have a warm coat, gloves, and a hat handy. – Find a spot with a clear view of the northern horizon. An open field would be best, but if you’re in a city, any unobstructed view of the northern horizon would be a great place to view the lights. – Be patient. If you see a green glow in the northern sky, that could be the aurora, but it might not be visible yet. It could take a while before the lights are bright enough to see. Patience is key! – Try taking long-exposure photos of the northern horizon. You might be able to capture amazing photos of the Northern Lights.

Conclusion

The Northern Lights are a spectacular natural phenomenon, and they might just be coming to a city near you this week! The best times to see them are between 9 and 11 p.m. when the sky is dark enough that they can be seen. If you want to catch a glimpse of these amazing lights, check the forecast and go outside as soon as it gets dark enough to see them. The lights could be visible for several days, so keep checking the forecast and keep your eyes on the north!