Latest updates about the northern lights

However, the forecast in many parts of Pennsylvania could obscure the aurora for much of the night. In southeastern Pennsylvania, rain will lead to mostly cloudy conditions. However, it's not clear when the storm will break, and if clouds clear early enough, some of the phenomonom may still be visible. Stay in the know. Mostly cloudy, with a low around Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Cloudy, with a low around Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph after midnight. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Getting out of densely populated areas will give you a better chance of seeing the aurora no matter what.

Colour variations occur when different types of gas particles collide with the charged particles. The most common colour of the aurora is green, which is created when oxygen molecules about 60 miles above the ground react with the particles, whereas nitrogen causes a blue or purple hue.

The sun is currently at the start of a new 11 year solar cycle, which usually sees eruptions and flares grow more intense and extreme. Scientists classify strong solar flares into one of three categories: C, M or X with A and B classes, too, for weaker eruptions. However, minor flares really have no impact on Earth at all while those in the M category can create brief radio blackouts at the poles and small storms.

The debris is expected to pass in front of Earth on Friday 15 October. Orkney has been named as among the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights this winter. In an update on Monday, the Space Weather Prediction Centre said the moderate geomagnetic storm watch continued last night October Our watch continues! Jump directly to the content. Sign in. All Football. Louis Allwood 15th Oct , Weaker solar flares are responsible for auroras like the Northern Lights.

Explained: What is a solar flare? Are the Northern Lights bad? All you need is a clear night, a dark place to watch and a dose of good luck! Explained: How often do Solar Storms occur? They can happen at different times and depend on the stage of the solar cycle.

The more negative the better. Each number in the diagram below represents a rolling 5 minute average of the Bz taken along the length of the solar wind stream. This data comes from a satellite about 1 million miles from earth. These 5 minute stream segments are all headed towards earth. They should arrive in 20 to 40 minutes.

They are given in the order they'll hit earth, with the first 5 minute average hitting first. Think of each number representing a 5 minute long cloud of solar wind speeding towards earth. Remember, it's best for Bz to be negative, and the more negative, the better.

Inbound Bz averages. The number closest to earth will hit first. Check out the Three Day Forecast. It is not just about low light. It is important to remember the widest part of the Aurora is when the sun is on the opposite side of the earth. So late, nighttime or early morning dark tends to be best. But you also want few competing light sources so get away from the city lights and let your eyes adjust to the darkness.

The further away from those earth based light sources the better for seeing the Northern Lights.