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The auroral event is expected to be strong enough to be visible in the northern United States on Friday and then weaken over the weekend, according to forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Basic Information

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Where to See the Northern Lights?

The chances of seeing the northern lights are higher throughout northern Canada and Alaska, with a line of sight extending just below the Canadian border (indicating that the opportunity to see this phenomenon is minimal). An area in northern Minnesota will be less likely to see this phenomenon. (See display row below.)

What’s the Best Way to See the Northern Lights?

NOAA recommends traveling to a high point away from light pollution to see the northern lights, which are best seen between 22:00 and 02:00 local time.

What’s the Best Way to Photograph the Northern Lights?

If you’re using a regular camera, Adobe suggests Setting the focus to the farthest possible setting with a wide aperture, slow shutter speed and high ISO. Visit Iceland’s tourism website Iceland, recommends If using a smartphone, turn on night mode and slow down the shutter speed.

Key Background

Activity on the solar surface has likely reached a “solar maximum,” resulting in more sunspots and coronal mass ejections. based on To NOAA and NASA. Elsayed Talaat, NOAA’s director of space weather observations, said the sun’s 11-year cycle (Solar Cycle 25) has reached the point of “high impact” space weather, causing more geomagnetic storms around Earth and the aurora borealis to retreat further south. A “severe” geomagnetic storm pushed the phenomenon as far south as Texas earlier this month, and NOAA believes increased aurora activity will continue into 2025 and early 2026.

Additional Reading

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