After give us some of the bestmeteor showersandmoon eventsof the year , August is close with its superlative spectacle yet . AsForbesreports , the northern lights will be visible over several northerly U.S. nation in the lower 48 this weekend , include Maine , Wisconsin , and Michigan .
What causes the northern lights
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) forecasts G1 and G2 geomagnetic storms for August 31 and September 1 , 2019 . The aurora borealis is caused bysolar particlescolliding with gasoline particle in the atmosphere . As electrons from the sun come in striking with oxygen and nitrogen , they transfer some of their energy to the gases . The colourful ribbons of Christ Within we observe from the primer coat are these molecules calming down and release photon into the sky .
ordinarily the phenomenon is only visible at northmost latitudes where the Earth ’s magnetic domain , and therefore levels of solar Energy Department , are strongest . But the coming geomagnetic storm is expected to strike the Earth with a saturated dose of solar particles , potentially induce the northerly light to appear farther south than usual .
Where and when to see the northern lights
The first solar storm of the weekend is augur forSaturday , August 31 , and the second is expected to reach Earth on Sunday . If these forecasts are right , states spanning the U.S.-Canada border are in for a goody . Washington , Idaho , Montana , North Dakota , South Dakota , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , and Maine all fall within the sluttish show ’s project course .
As is the case with any nighttime spectacle , the best time to catch the northerly lights is when skies are dark-skinned . That intend hold back until tardily at night or early on in the daybreak to look up , and finding a smudge that is n’t wash away out by light-headed pollution is key . Luckily , the solar storm are following thesuper new moonon August 30 , so skies will be especially dark this weekend .
[ h / tForbes ]
