The aurora is back! You might see it all weekend. The University of Alaska and NOAA track Auroras using KP-Index, a global aurora activity indicator with a scale of 0 to 9. Measures the fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetic field linked to a particular geographical location.
Several states in the northern United States are predicted to take the best views by the national marine and atmospheric administration. If the weather is clear this weekend, you should be able to see many North Lights in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Washington, Idaho and Montana.
I might see the aurora on the weekend
Can’t view the graphics? Click here to see them.
According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the KP index, which measures Earth’s magnetic field activity, is expected to peak at 4.67 over the weekend. For the latest timing failures, see NOAA’s 3-day forecast.
NOA’s Aurora Prediction
The Earth’s magnetic field acts as a barrier
We are protected from the solar wind by the invisible barriers created by the Earth’s magnetic field. Stronger solar winds have the ability to disrupt magnetic fields, and when the planetary magnetic field gases come into contact with the storm’s particle rivers, they produce gorgeous auroras.
Unusually, this display can be seen in Europe and the United States, primarily during large Aurora events. According to the University of Alaska, during a major event in 1958, the aurora could be seen from Mexico City.
Sources NASA, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center, Space.com, USA Today Research
