Residents of Massachusetts may be able to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights on Friday as they move further south into the mainland of the U.S.
Known as the aurora borealis, the lights typically can be seen at far northern latitudes. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center predicted “a strong geomagnetic storm” to hit the globe on August 18 and 19 making them visible further south — so much so that they could be seen in regions of Pennsylvania, Iowa and Oregon, according to NPR.
The best time to see the display was Thursday, according to the prediction center but there is still an opportunity to see them on Friday.
Being able to see the lights depends on your location on the Earth and the geomagnetic activity.
Geomagnetic activity is the degree of disturbance of the earth’s magnetic field at the time of the event, said NBC Boston. Looking at the Kp index, which characterizes the magnitude of geomagnetic storms, the number ranges from zero to nine and is used to refer the geomagnetic activity in a three-hour period.
In order to have a better chance to see the lights, you’ll want to have a Kp of five or greater, NBC Boston reported. Friday stands at three. Although not the ideal number, it is not completely off the table.
Here is how you can increase your chances of seeing them.
You don’t need any special equipment to see the northern lights, NPR suggested. All you need to do is pick a spot where there is little light pollution in the sky and head to higher elevation if possible like a mountain. Be sure to check the forecast for signs of clouds or precipitation, which could block your view. From there, scan the skies as the lights can appear from any and all directions.
In the past, the lights have been confirmed to be visible in Massachusetts. You can see a photo here.
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