A strong magnetic storm is occurring. The aurora borealis may be so strong that you can see it better than usual. Will we get a glimpse of North Carolina?
GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's really hard to see the Northern Lights in North Carolina, but every once in a while you get a chance. Friday night could be one of those opportunities.
A strong geomagnetic storm continues, and it may be strong enough to see the aurora further south than usual. While this isn't a big deal for most people in the northern United States, it's worth noting that the Northern Lights can also be seen further south than usual.
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Several strong solar flares have been observed over the past few days, and additional solar activity is expected Friday night into Saturday morning. This is what is considered a G4 geomagnetic storm or severe geomagnetic storm. There was one of similar intensity in March of this year, but it occurred during the day, so we didn't get a glimpse of the aurora glow.
The last stronger storm was the G5 storm in October 2003, which disrupted power in Sweden and South Africa.
If this storm is indeed as strong as forecast, we may be able to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis in our area on Friday night, but better opportunities will undoubtedly lie further north. They are rare in our area of North Carolina, and the chances of seeing one tonight are very low, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of seeing one.
Best time to watch
The best time to observe is generally during the darkest hours of the night, from midnight to early morning on Saturday.
Where should I look?
Stay away from the light! Find a dark spot with no light pollution. The best idea is to drive away from the city and find an open area without many trees where you can get a good view of the dark night sky.
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The strength of these storms in the Earth's magnetic field is often measured using the Kp index (Planetary K-index). Kp could reach 8 or 9 tonight, strong enough for the Northern Lights to reach us, but that is not guaranteed and the exact timing will vary.
In conclusion, try your luck! However, keep in mind that this is not a postcard-like view of the aurora borealis, but rather a faint glow. If you have a long exposure camera lens and enough patience, you will have a better chance.