Tonight, north lights, or aurora borealis, may surprise observatories all over the country because of Black Friday’s aurora borealis.
A G2 ( moderate ) geomagnetic storm watch was issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) on Friday, which indicates the possibility of intense auroral displays in various states.
The magnetic storm could bring dazzling shows of green, crimson, and purple hues to states including Washington, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. North areas of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Idaho perhaps even catch glimpses of the divine present.
The best days to watch are just before and just after nightfall, and NOAA advises visiting places with no city lighting for a clearer view.
Clear stars abroad make for promising conditions for observatories, though cloud cover may hinder the view in some of the Northeast and Great Lakes. Smartphone monitors may show colors that are difficult to see with the naked eye when photographing the sky.
Aurora activity peaks during the solar cycle
As the sun approaches its 11-year thermal cycle’s highest point, known as the thermal optimum, the northern lights have been more visible this time. The likelihood of more geomagnetic shows across the United States is anticipated to increase as the sun rises through 2025.
