Northern Lights could be visible again in Central North Carolina thanks to ongoing geomagnetic storm

admin-cdn3 weeks ago

0 0 1 minute read

Northern Lights could be visible again in Central North Carolina thanks to ongoing geomagnetic storm

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — A marvelous display of the Northern Lights was seen across most of the country Tuesday night.

An ongoing geomagnetic storm may bring another chance to see the Northern Lights again Wednesday night.

Northern Lights in Seven Lakes, NC (Photo Credit: Diane Zwart)

Space weather forecasters confirmed that sightings of the auroras were seen as far south as the Florida Keys Tuesday night. While this is a rarity, it speaks to how strong the geomagnetic storm was.

This strong geomagnetic storm is still expected to be ongoing. This means we have a chance to see it again in North Carolina tonight, although it may not be as bright as what we saw last night.

The geomagnetic storm is at its peak on Wednesday afternoon. How strong it stays into the evening and overnight hours will determine how well we can see the Northern Lights tonight, if at all.

The sun has released several bursts of energy over the past few days, known as coronal mass ejections. We have seen two impacts on Earth this week, and the third is what we are being impacted by tonight.

If the aurora is indeed visible tonight, you may only faintly be able to see it with the naked eye. For best viewing, follow these tips:

Go somewhere completely dark, away from city lights, and look north.
Capture the auroras with your phone camera, or a professional camera, in long exposure mode.