Topline
More than a dozen states in the northern United States may have the opportunity to see the northern lights on Thursday, since a recent coronal mass emissions are expected to disturb the geomagnetic field of the earth, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
It is expected that a recently coronal mass emissions interfere with the geomagnetic field of the earth.
Associated Press
Key facts
Noaa predicted a KP index of six on a scale of nine for Thursday evening, which indicates that Aurora Borealis will continue to be removed from the poles and will be “pretty bright and active”.
On Thursday on Thursday evening and early Friday morning, a minor to moderate geomagnetic storms are expected, which is expected Thursday, which, according to NOAA, is the result of a coronal mass suspension on August 5.
Similar auroral activities are expected on Friday evening and early Saturday morning, since according to the NOAA outlook the three-day view of NOAA is predicted with a maximum KP index of five forecasts.
Where will the northern lights be visible?
Nordkanada and Alaska have the highest chance to see the northern lights as soon as the sun is lost in the state. A view line marking a minimal opportunity sweeps through and northern illinois, with a lesser chance forecast for parts of Washington, Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, upper Michigan, and an Even Lower Opportunity Expected for Parts of Oregon, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. (See map below.)
Thursday evening.
NOAA
What is the best way to see the northern lights?
Noaa recommends traveling to a high viewpoint from light pollution to a high viewing point geared north between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
What is the best way to photograph the northern lights?
With a smartphone, NOAA suggests activating the night mode, deactivating lightning and using a tripod to stabilize the image. When using a regular camera, National Geographic's photography experts informed that it is best to use a wide-angle lens, a panel or an F-stop of four or less and a focus on the best possible setting.
Key background
It is expected that an increased auroral activity in the early 2026 after its existence on the sun surface in 2024 reached a “solar maximum”, said NOAA and NASA. This peak has more solar events such as coronal masses and solar flares, which are largely responsible for the creation of the northern lights. Electrons from these events collide with oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the earth's atmosphere, which means that they are “excited” before they release energy in the form of colorful, swirling lights.