Miss the Northern Lights over PA? Here’s when you have another chance to see them
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NOAA warns of a severe geomagnetic storm Nov. 12; CMEs may impact Earth.
- Auroras could extend as far south as Alabama to northern California Wednesday night.
- Best viewing between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.; seek dark skies, adjust eyes, use long exposure.
A powerful geomagnetic storm is producing some spectacular auroras in the night sky over much of the country this week, and if you missed the show in Pennsylvania Tuesday night, you’ll have another chance Wednesday evening.
The nation’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch for Wednesday, Nov. 12, with a coronal mass ejection expected partially impact Earth around noon.
Coronal mass ejections are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere. When they collide with Earth, CMEs can disrupt critical infrastructure and technology, as well as cause auroras to become visible over much of the northern half of the U.S.
In its severe geomagnetic storm watch for Wednesday, the Space Weather Prediction Center said auroras could be visible as far south as Alabama to northern California.
In an aurora view line forecast for Wednesday night, the red line that indicates the southernmost point where an aurora might be seen from the northern horizon swept across Pennsylvania. Auroras do not need to be directly overhead to be observed in the night sky and can be seen from roughly 621 miles away when conditions are right.
Here’s what to expect Wednesday night, along with some tips to improve your viewing experience in Pennsylvania.
Will you be able to see the Northern Lights over Pennsylvania tonight?
According to astronomy publication Space.com, and based on the latest forecast map, at least 17 states appeared to fully or partially above the aurora view line. The full list includes the following states:
- Alaska
- Washington
- North Dakota
- Montana
- Minnesota
- Idaho
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
- Oregon
- Michigan
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Wyoming
- New York
- Iowa
- Nebraska
- Illinois
Most of Pennsylvania rests above the red aurora view line, according to the latest forecast map from the Space Weather Prediction Center. That means residents have a decent chance of glimpsing them over the Keystone State tonight.
Best time to see Northern Lights in Pennsylvania. Plus, viewing tips
Auroras aren’t visible during the day, but they can be glimpsed as soon as it gets dark, so stay vigilant. Viewing tips from the Space Weather Prediction Center advise the best aurora is usually within an hour or two of midnight, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
For the best shot at catching an aurora, keep these general viewing tips in mind:
- Get away from city lights. Find a dark, open area with a clear view of the northern horizon. Light pollution will obscure your view.
- Give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. 15 to 30 minutes should be enough.
- Use your smartphone’s camera or a camera capable of long-exposure photography to catch faint auroras that aren’t visible to the naked eye.