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    • Northern lights are expected to be visible Monday evening
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    Northern lights are expected to be visible Monday evening

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

    Topline

    The aurora borealis could be visible from eight states across the continental United States on Monday evening, as space weather researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict a solar storm and persistent geomagnetic activity over the next three days.

    Important facts

    The effects of a small solar radiation storm are expected to make the aurora borealis visible in Canada and the northern United States on Monday evening, and may also spread to South Dakota.

    According to NOAA, there is a possibility of a solar radiation storm reaching the S1 threshold (minor) by Wednesday, as several regions may experience enhanced solar flares.

    Solar radiation storms – which occur when magnetic flares accelerate particles from the Sun at thousands of miles per hour before entering the atmosphere near the North and South Poles – are measured by NOAA on a scale of S1 to S5, based on the intensity measured by NASA satellite.

    Scientists expect the northern lights to be visible Monday along the Canadian border and in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

    By Tuesday, the line of sight will shift significantly north and the Aurora Borealis will likely no longer be visible at all from the mainland United States.

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    Important background

    The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights are best seen from August to early April and reach peak visibility in October, November and April. The lights can appear as glowing patches of light in the sky or as swirling lights in colors of pink, blue, green, yellow and purple. The lights are caused by the interaction between the Earth’s magnetic field and particles from the Sun that enter the Earth’s atmosphere at its magnetic poles. When particles collide, they can return to a lower energy state and release colorful light particles called auroras.

    Surprising fact

    The particles that will be visible Monday evening left the sun early Friday, according to NOAA.

    Further reading

    ForbesHere’s how to photograph the Northern Lights with a smartphone this weekendFrom Jamie Carter

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    Caradoc Wyn
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