![]() Though there is a storm watch effective through Friday, your best bet to see the phenomenon is Thursday night between 9 pm. Parts of the Midwest, Northwest, and much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast are likely to catch a glimpse of the northern lights tonight and tomorrow, according to The Weather Channel. The storm watch is in effect from August 17 through 19 and could push the aurora lights farther south, making them visible from regions in the mainland U.S. Here, find out how to get a peek at the northern lights. to catch a glimpse of the spectacular show. This phenomenon, scientifically known as the aurora borealis, is usually only visible near Alaska, Canada, and the North Pole, but this strong storm may make it easier for those living in the northern U.S. ![]() this week (where they’re not typically seen), according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. A strong geomagnetic storm may bring the stunning colors of the northern lights to the northern part of the mainland U.S. There’s no need to travel north to see breathtaking sky views this week. People in rural areas of Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon will likely have the best views of the lights. These lights, called the aurora borealis, are typically seen near the North Pole in Alaska and Canada. It must also be dark so during the summer months at auroral latitudes, the midnight sun prevents auroral observations.The northern lights may be visible from the mainland U.S. Of course, to observe the aurora, the skies must be clear and free of clouds. ( Tips on viewing the aurora and maps of the typical extent of the aurora). During very large events, the aurora can be observed even farther from the poles. During large events, the aurora can be observed as far south as the US, Europe, and Asia. When space weather activity increases and more frequent and larger storms and substorms occur, the aurora extends equatorward. At these polar latitudes, the aurora can be observed more than half of the nights of a given year. The best place to observe the aurora is under an oval shaped region between the north and south latitudes of about 60 and 75 degrees. These diffuse patches often blink on and off repeatedly for hours, then they disappear as the sun rises in the east. Then in the early morning the auroral forms can take on a more cloud-like appearance. This is the peak of what is called an auroral substorm. ![]() At some point, the arcs may expand to fill the whole sky, moving rapidly and becoming very bright. Late in the evening, near midnight, the arcs often begin to twist and sway, just as if a wind were blowing on the curtains of light. During the evening, these rays can form arcs that stretch from horizon to horizon. Often the auroral forms are made of many tall rays that look much like a curtain made of folds of cloth. Aurora comes in several different shapes. During major geomagnetic storms these ovals expand away from the poles such that aurora can be seen over most of the United States. The aurora typically forms 80 to 500 km above Earth’s surface.Įarth’s magnetic field guides the electrons such that the aurora forms two ovals approximately centered at the magnetic poles. This is similar to how a neon light works. When they relax back down to lower energy states, they release their energy in the form of light. In these collisions, the electrons transfer their energy to the atmosphere thus exciting the atoms and molecules to higher energy states. The accelerated electrons follow the magnetic field of Earth down to the Polar Regions where they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms and molecules in Earth’s upper atmosphere. (Protons cause faint and diffuse aurora, usually not easily visible to the human eye.) The electrons are energized through acceleration processes in the downwind tail (night side) of the magnetosphere and at lower altitudes along auroral field lines. The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) are the result of electrons colliding with the upper reaches of Earth’s atmosphere.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |