The Northern Lights, aka Aurora Borealis, is a stunning natural phenomenon that creates an incredible display of color that seems to dance across the sky. Though, sadly, they’re typically only seen in countries closest to the Arctic and Antarctic circles that are often remote–but you may not have to hop on a flight to see them this week!
Due to heightened solar activity the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a geomagnetic storm watch for July 24th, aka we may be seeing the northern lights in NY!
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has found that a large Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is expected to hit the earth’s atmosphere sometime in the early hours of Wednesday, July 24th. This means the potential to see the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky!
Here’s everything you need to know about potentially seeing the dazzling Northern Lights display in NY:
When will the Northern Lights be visible in NY?
New Yorkers will have a chance to potentially see the Northern Lights in the early hours of Wednesday, July 24th.
However, space weather physicist Tamitha Skov noted that “likely the storm will be fashionably late, due to slow solar wind ‘traffic’ & an additional glancing storm blow ahead of it.”
According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, the best viewing times are usually within an hour or two of midnight, between 10 pm and 2 am local time.
Where can I see the Northern Lights in NY?
Due to NYC’s intense light pollution you’ll have to find the darkest spot possible to see the lights. Places such as a dark park or beach will provide you with the best chance of seeing them.
Those in darker, more rural parts of New York have a better chance of catching the spectacle. However, these cloudy skies we’ve been having may but a damper on everyone’s viewing plans.
What are the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in NY?
The Geophysical Institute has a North American forecast ranking of Kp 6 on the geomagnetic index for July 24th. The geomagnetic index measures auroral activity. The scale ranges from zero to nine, with nine being the most active.
When the northern lights were seen in NY on May 10th there was a forecast ranking of Kp 8. See photos of the Northern Lights spotted in Upstate New York back in May here.
Do I need to a telescope to see the Northern Lights in NY?
One of the (many) fabulous things about the Northern Lights is that they don’t require any special equipment to see them! As long as you’re in a dark place looking up to the sky with the naked eye is enough.
When will the Northern Lights be visible next?
Lucky for us the Northern Lights may be visible more often over the next few years!
The NOAA has stated that we’re nearing the peak of Solar Cycle 25, an 11-year period in which the sun flips its north and south poles and causes various weather events to occur that can bring geomagnetic storms–along with the northern lights–to Earth.
How else can I see the Northern Lights?
If the Northern Lights aren’t visible in the sky where you are, don’t fret–you can always watch them on this Northern Lights Live Stream!