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    • This is where Aurora Borealis may be visible tonight
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    This is where Aurora Borealis may be visible tonight

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    Topline

    A swath of northern US states could get another chance to see the Northern Lights on Friday evening, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, after a geomagnetic storm brought the Northern Lights further south.

    Key facts

    NOAA predicts a KP index of five for Friday evening, which means the Northern Lights will become brighter and there is a chance the lights will be more active.

    The event will make it “quite enjoyable to watch” for everyone north of the viewing line, NOAA said.

    The viewing line is predicted to reach as low as the northern edge of Iowa, although NOAA suggests people should be as far north of the line as possible to have a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

    Earlier this week, NOAA issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch, an event the agency said could impact critical infrastructure like power grids, GPS and radio interference, as well as cause an aurora borealis to appear as far south as Alabama on Thursday .

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    Where will the Northern Lights be visible?

    Part of the northern US is predicted to have a higher chance of seeing the aurora, including Alaska and northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Several other states have a lower chance of seeing the Northern Lights, including Montana, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

    What is the best way to see the Northern Lights?

    NOAA encourages viewers to watch from a high vantage point, such as a hill, while the optimal time to see the Northern Lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. in areas with little to no light pollution.

    What is the best way to photograph the Northern Lights?

    Smartphones can catch the aurora even if the naked eye can’t see it. Visit Iceland, Iceland’s tourism website, recommends turning on night mode to increase the smartphone camera’s exposure.

    Important background

    Solar Cycle 25 – an eleven-year cycle that the Sun began in 2019 – has increased the chances that states will be able to observe the aurora borealis phenomenon. An increase in sunspots and geomagnetic storms – caused by a burst of energy and particles released by the sun – are contributing to stronger aurora forecasts. According to NASA, the cycle is expected to peak between late 2024 and early 2026, meaning Northern Lights sightings will continue year-round. Although the peak has yet to occur, the sun’s activity has been busier than expected and there are likely to be more geomagnetic storms leading up to 2026, scientists say.

    Read more

    ForbesIn photos: See breathtaking Northern Lights over the planet on historic nightBy means of Jamie CarterForbesNorthern US faces ‘severe’ geomagnetic storm, likely to impact power grids: here’s what you need to knowBy means of Ty Roush

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