Something exciting is brewing up in the skies above our heads. This week, there were/are two nights where we might be able to see the northern lights, depending on where we live in the U.S., as reported by USA Today, using information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center. Typically, we think of the Aurora Borealis—the often-green, vivid movement gyrating in the dark skies—as something you must travel far north to see. In recent years, lower U.S. states have sometimes been able to see them. That might have been the case for you last night—and hopefully it’s the case for you tonight!
These are the U.S. states where you can see the northern lights:
According to NOAA’s calculations, these 17 states may be able to see the Aurora Borealis tonight:
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Pensylvania
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
My state’s not on the list. What now?
Wellll, if the geomagnetic storms that produce the northern lights are strong enough, you might still have a chance. Funnily enough, even if your eyes don’t catch them, use a camera since its multiple sensors can catch things our naked eyes can’t. It's kind of like ghost hunting.
What time is best to try to catch them?
The darkest hours of the night and early morning.
In general, which are the best places to see the northern lights in the U.S.?
On our list, Time Out identifies 11 states or regions that are the best for catching them, along with specific recommendations of exactly where within that state or area. No. 1 on the list is the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Mount Katahdin is the tallest mountain in the state and the monument it’s in is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. The Natural Resources Council of Maine calls the state a “northern lights enthusiast’s paradise,” with many events focused on stargazing and celebrating this timeless phenomenon.