The northern lights may be visible in parts of the northern U.S. on Tuesday night, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). States like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota have a chance to see the aurora borealis. The NOAA forecast indicates a Kp index of four on a scale of nine for Tuesday night.
This suggests heightened auroral activity away from the North Pole that can be pleasing to look at for those in the right area. However, the activity is expected to decrease through Thursday as geomagnetic storm conditions subside. Northern Canada and Alaska have the highest likelihood of viewing the northern lights.
Areas of northern Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota have a low chance. Parts of Washington, northern Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine will have an even lower likelihood. To see the northern lights, NOAA recommends going to a high vantage point away from light pollution.
Northern U.S. states may see aurora
The best time to view them is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. The northern lights can be photographed with a smartphone using night mode.
With a regular camera, use a wide aperture, low shutter speed, and high ISO value. Set the focus to the farthest possible setting. This increase in auroral activity is due to a period of heightened solar activity as the sun reaches a “solar maximum,” according to NASA.
This peak in activity will cause the aurora borealis to be more visible to people below the Canadian border. It is likely to continue through 2025 and into early 2026. Other recent celestial events include the Taurids meteor showers and the last supermoon of the year.
The supermoon appears about 30% brighter and 14% larger than the average moon.
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