Awe-inspiring as natural wonders go, there are few like the spectacle of the Northern Lights that can move a person like this phenomenon can. This week brings a rare set of circumstances from the sun that promise this otherworldly sight will extend far from its normal locations in the Arctic regions and splash a bright show of greens and red across the skies of the United States.
Being triggered by a combination of a coronal mass ejection and a fast-moving solar wind associated with a coronal hole, it is expected to be of G1 geomagnetic storm intensity. The effects would be such that states in Alaska to Maine would have a chance to observe aurorae dancing in the sky.
But to capture this phenomenon, a lot of preparation and research is necessary. Here are ten vital tips to help take full advantage of this rare phenomenon in the Christmas season:
1. The Science Behind This Week’s Aurora
The expected event is a one-of-a-kind conjunction of solar events the coronal mass ejection (CME) that occurred on December 20 and is currently a coronal hole, which is oriented toward Earth. The CME propels a cloud of supercharged particles into space, and at the coronar hole, a stream of high-speed solar wind is emitted. When these charged particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, they are pushed toward Earth’s poles through magnetic field lines, striking a burst of oxygen and nitrogen gas in Earth’s upper atmosphere. As a result of these interactions, shimmering lights appear in Earth’s upper atmosphere and create an aurora borealis. According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, “‘Active conditions and G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storms are expected 22 Dec,’” with increased activity expected through December 25.
2. Where the Lights May Appear
Aurora view lines forecast the aurora viewing area as extending over the northern areas of the following ten U.S. states: Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. If the level of geomagnetic activity increases, faint aurorae will also be observable low on the horizon in the areas of Wyoming, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, and the state of New York.
3. Best Time to Watch
The optimal viewing time is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time when the geomagnetic field is most prone to disturbance and it is dark enough for viewing. While an aurora forecast by NOAA may narrow down when the activity occurs, it’s impossible to forecast when an aurora will appear. One should be on the lookout from the onset of night if it’s clear and solar wind data reveals high activity.
4. Escaping Light Pollution
Artificial light is the biggest challenge to viewing the aurora for the casual observer. Rural regions, national parks, or designated Dark Sky Sites are the best settings to view the aurora. Sites such as the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument in Maine or the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Michigan serve as excellent observatories with no disturbances of artificial light. Even a few miles away from the light of the cities makes the difference.
5. Ways to Detect a weak aurora
With the naked eye, aurorae can be seen as a soft, milky arc before building into a colorful display. Modern cell phones can pick out soft lighting before the human eye can see it, and scanning a camera lens pointed towards the north for a greenish tint will verify activity. Waiting for eyes to adapt to a 30-minute period of darkness will also increase the likelihood of detecting faint sky movement.
6. Gear for Photographers
Taking photos of aurorae can’t be accomplished without a good tripod and a wide-angle camera lens (14–24mm) that has a wide aperture (no higher than f/2.8). It is necessary to set your camera to manual mode and shoot images with a high ISO (1600–3200) and exposure times of 1–15 seconds according to the speed of the aurora. When photographing in freezing temperatures, it is crucial to store extra batteries in inner pockets and cover lenses to prevent frosting with special covers or hoods. To remove camera condensation after photographing in cold temperatures, consult Alaskan photographer Dan Bailey’s recommendation: “If you must take your camera inside from the cold, put it back in your camera bag. This will prevent condensation.”
7. Keeping Warm During the Chase
“Aurora hunting” can involve hours of quiet in temperatures below freezing. Layering is crucial: insulated boots, heated socks, wind-resistant mitts layered over thinner liners, and a thick parka. Portable, electric hand warmers will help retain the use of one’s fingers and spare batteries. “Heated clothing has come a long way,” says one researcher, “and there are now products on the market that provide personal warming without the bulk.”
8. Apps & Live Data
Real-time observation tools such as “My Aurora Forecast” or “SpaceWeatherLive” and “NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast” give notification messages during heightened geomagnetic events. These applications give observations on the speed, density, and “Kp” value of the solar wind, enabling the user to determine whether to go out for observation or not. “Kp” value above 4 provides higher intensities at midpoint locations.
9. Embracing Moonlight
Defying popular opinion, a bright moon is not a deterrent for viewing auroras either. In fact, a waxing crescent moon or even a full moon can light up snow-covered areas to increase contrast of the aurora against snow.
10. Patience and Persistence
Auras can be temperamental things. Even when the prediction is right on, there may be clouds or a burst of activity that results in empty skies. Patient aurora hunters will wait hours for a view. Whether or not the skies put on a show, there is value in the darkness of a midnight sky. The codes light show has long been recognized as a scientific phenomenon; it is spirits dancing across the sky.
The aurora prediction for the Christmas-week aurora provides a precious sighting for most of the northern part of the United States. Whether it be in a snowed-in field in the state of Minnesota, a hill overlooking the coastline of Maine, those prepared and those who observe with an attitude toward the unpredictability will bear witness to something truly special in the wonders of what Mother Nature has to offer.
