NEW YORK (AP) — There’s a chance solar storms could bring them northern lights to several northern US states, just in time for the new year.
The sun has emitted two bursts of plasma that are hurtling toward Earth and are expected to arrive early this week, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Once they arrive, they can spark colorful auroras Monday and Tuesday evenings in Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.
Parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Iowa and New York may also get a piece of the view.
The early morning hours on Tuesday, while it’s still dark, should have the best chance to produce a light show, said NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl.
Updated forecasts may be available as the event approaches NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website or an aurora forecasting app.
To spy the spectacle, wait until the clear weather turns dark and then go outside, ideally away from bright city lights. Taking a photo with a smartphone camera can also reveal hints of the aurora that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
The sun is in the maximum phase of its existence 11 year cyclemaking sunbursts and northern lights more common.
The active period is expected to last at least another year, although scientists won’t know when solar activity peaked until months afterward.
NOAA is monitoring this week’s solar storms for possible minor disruptions to high-frequency radio communications, which are used by airlines and amateur radio operators.
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In May, NOAA issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning: It was the strongest storm in more than two decades and caused light shows in the Northern Hemisphere. And in October, a powerful solar storm blinded skygazers far from the Arctic Circle when auroras appeared in unexpected places, including Germany, the United Kingdom, New England and New York City.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.