How to Watch the Northern Lights for the Fourth Time This Week

NOAA’s latest forecast suggests aurora activity could rise to around Kp 4 during part of this evening on Aug. 20, present yet another opportunity for skywatchers across northern states to catch a glimpse. Here’s everything you need to know about this stellar event

Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

The northern lights have been visible across the U.S. for three consecutive nights due to elevated geomagnetic activity

NOAA forecasts suggest aurora activity could peak at Kp 4 on Aug. 20, with the best viewing from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Skywatchers in northern U.S. states like Minnesota and Maine have the best chance to see the auroras under clear, dark skies

Another day, another round of colorful auroras!

The northern lights have been gracing the U.S. with their dazzling presence all week, and Thursday, Aug. 20, could present yet another opportunity for skywatchers across northern states to catch a glimpse.

For reference, the northern lights (northern lights) are a result of geomagnetic storms, which occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating brilliant waves of light in the sky. Still, their visibility depends on several factors, including intensity and location.

Geomagnetic activity has remained elevated over the past several days, with Earth even experiencing minor G1 storm conditions earlier this week as the Kp index skyrocketed to 5.

NOAA’s latest forecast, however, suggests aurora activity could rise to around Kp 4 during part of this evening on Aug. 20.

Ranging from a scale that runs from zero to nine, higher Kp numbers generally mean stronger geomagnetic activity and a better chance of auroras appearing farther away from polar regions.

This round of northern lights comes after three consecutive days of auroras in the U.S., and is being fueled by a coronal hole high-speed stream, which is a faster burst of solar wind escaping through an open region in the Sun’s magnetic field, per NOAA.

As that stream interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere, NOAA says geomagnetic conditions could remain active through Saturday, Aug. 22.

Here’s how, when and where to catch a glimpse of this stellar event.

Related Stories

When will the northern lights be visible?

Philippe Bourseiller/Getty

The best opportunity for viewing is after skies go dark, noting that geomagnetic activity tends to fluctuate.

However, NOAA forecasts suggest the viewing window runs overnight Thursday, Aug. 20, into early Friday morning, Aug. 21.

In any case, aurora viewing tends to be best from approximately 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time, with potential displays appearing earlier or later depending on how conditions develop.

Where will the northern lights be visible?

Li Hongjun/VCG via Getty I

The best odds remain across Alaska and northern U.S. states close to the Canadian border, including Northern Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine.

Remember, a Kp index of 4 doesn’t guarantee auroras in all of these locations, so be sure to find clear skies with low light pollution.

How to watch the northern lights?

Find a dark location away from city lights, ideally with a clear view of the northern sky.

The darker your surroundings, the more vivid the aurora colors will appear. Remember to also keep tabs on real-time conditions using NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast and space-weather apps that track solar wind and magnetic field changes.

How to photograph the northern lights?

As for photography, your smartphone might actually notice the aurora before you do!

Modern smartphone cameras are sensitive enough that even the faintest auroral glow can appear green, pink or purple in a photograph, even when it looks more like a pale gray haze to the naked eye.

Human Interest

Astronomy