A breathtaking celestial display of the Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, graced the skies above Ogden, Utah on April 23rd. A captivating video composed of five still images stitched together showcases the vibrant pink and green hues painting the night sky.
This stunning phenomenon, typically observed in northern regions like Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia, is becoming visible further south due to an 11-year solar cycle predicted to reach its peak in 2024. This Thursday, residents of 17 US states will have the unique opportunity to witness this mesmerizing spectacle.
The Northern Lights occur when solar winds collide with the Earth's magnetic field, causing atoms in the upper atmosphere to glow. This Thursday's auroral activity is anticipated to be visible in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Indiana, Maine, and Maryland.
The image above captures the Northern Lights near Washtucna, Washington, in the early morning hours of Monday, April 24, 2023.
Cities like Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Helena, Montana are expected to have overhead views, while locations like Salem, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Annapolis, Maryland; and Indianapolis will see the lights lower on the horizon. For the best viewing experience, it's recommended to escape city lights and observe the sky between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, as advised by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.
The Geophysical Institute predicts a Kp index of 6 for this Thursday's geomagnetic storm. The Kp index, ranging from zero to nine, measures auroral activity, with higher values indicating brighter and more active displays.
