Aurora hunters are preparing to see it famous aurora borealis You don’t have to worry about traveling all the way to Alaska, a state known for being among the best places to witness shades of green and red in North America.

In the coming months, the famous celestial show, better known as the northern lights, may take place. the sky near you – if it hasn’t happened yet. Now that there’s sun The sun has officially reached its maximumSkywatchers around the world should expect the northern lights to cover the night sky more frequently in the northern hemisphere, according to NASA.

So how does the sun affect a phenomenon that is best seen when it is nowhere to be found? It’s all about solar flares, geomagnetic storms, and some cool interactions in Earth’s atmosphere.

Here’s everything you need to know about the northern lights and how to see them when the sun reaches its maximum.

Northern lights peak: The sun is now at solar maximum, which means more aurora activity

What is solar maximum?

The Sun and the intense magnetic activity it produces that causes the northern lights to wax and wane in an 11-year solar cycle. The peak of activity (solar maximum) occurs when the sun’s north and south magnetic poles switch places.

When this happens, the sun “transitions from a calm state to an active and stormy state,” NASA said in an October news release.

NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration track sunspots, the source of solar flares, to predict the progression of the solar cycle and the solar activity it fuels.

Now the agencies have determined that the sun has reached its zenith. Solar Cycle 25Sunspots located in areas with intense magnetic activity should increase. When released, this magnetic activity creates intense bursts of radiation, causing solar flares, considered by NASA to be explosions of our solar system. biggest explosive events.

Solar flares emit radiation, mostly in the form of ultraviolet light and X-rays, that can hurtle toward Earth at the speed of light. Some of these explosions may be accompanied by coronal mass ejections or clouds of plasma and charged particles emerging from the corona, the sun’s outermost atmosphere.

These launches collide with Earth’s magnetosphere, the barrier that protects humanity from the harshest effects of space weather. geomagnetic storms.

More geomagnetic storms could cause northern lights to appear

This may sound scary and that’s why High risk for things like disrupted satellite signalsThis could be radio communications, the internet and power grids.

But the increasing potential for more geomagnetic storms It could also mean more impressive northern lights displays.

In early October, Americans from the northern United States and even as far south as Alabama I had the chance to witness The striking rays, spirals and flickers of the northern lights are amplified as the Sun’s coronal mass ejection of plasma clouds and charged particles causes a geomagnetic storm toward Earth. The storm was so strong that it prompted NOAA to take action. release a rare G4 geomagnetic storm watch for the second time this year.

The first one came in May strong geomagnetic storm He was responsible for some reports of power grid irregularities and interference with GPS signals; even agricultural equipment. The good thing is, he also released magnificent views The northern lights in some parts of the country where the northern lights are often not visible.

this is special watch the storm It was the first NOAA release in 19 years for a geomagnetic storm classified as G4; It was one level away from the worst possible solar storm. In the midst of solar activity, the sun even emitted an explosive burst of radiation this happened biggest solar flare Detected since 2017 NOAA.

phenomenon I made a few last appearances Also throughout the USA It can be seen again, especially in August During the Perseids period among astronomers best meteor shower of the year.

What’s more, since NASA predicts the solar maximum will continue into 2025, aurora hunters should have more opportunities to catch the northern lights.

What causes auroras?

Auroras A natural light show in Earth’s sky It is known to be best seen in the high latitude regions of the northern and southern hemispheres.

This phenomenon occurs when electrically charged particles from space enter the Earth’s atmosphere and collide. molecules and gases such as oxygen and nitrogencauses atmospheric particles to gain energy. Particles to return to their normal state release that energy In the form of light, according to the website of the University of Alaska Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks, which tracks the event.

As auroras form, the Earth’s magnetic field directs particles towards the poles through a process that produces a dizzying display of rays, spirals and pulsations that have fascinated humans for millennia. The way shades of green, red, blue and even pink dance across the sky is due to the altitude at which collisions occurred, as well as the composition and density of the atmosphere at that moment.

Where and when can the northern lights be seen?

Solar storms cause particles flowing from the Sun to be caught in the Earth’s magnetic field. causes colorful auroras to form when they interact with atmospheric gas molecules. In the coming months, if you look at the right place and time, the bright auroras that emerge could be a sight to behold.

Auroras are best seen around the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres in places like Europe, Asia and North America. Alaska in the USA is known to have the best northern lights viewing opportunities.

Although the conditions are suitable for the upcoming aurora displays, experts have long struggled to accurately portray the situation. guess exactly when and where This phenomenon will always occur. Even the best predictions can be made accurately only a few days or even a few hours in advance.

But NOAA maintains this an aurora control panel This will help skywatchers track the phenomenon.

And if it looks like the northern lights will shine near you, it is recommended that you move away from cities and travel to dark places away from light pollution. If the weather is clear, the best aurora can usually be seen an hour or two after midnightAccording to NOAA.

Contributors: Max HauptmanUSA TODAY

One version of this story Last published on October 1.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Northern lights should develop in the middle of solar maximum: How to see aurorae?