Look Up! The Northern Lights May Be Visible This Week—Here’s How to See Them
As people around the world celebrated the New Year on December 31, the northern lights put on a colorful display to ring in 2025. If you missed it, you may have another opportunity to spot the celestial phenomenon on Friday, January 3 and Saturday, January 4, according to SpaceWeather.com.
The northern lights, or the aurora borealis, are created by magnetic storms triggered by solar activity, such as solar flares or CMEs, according to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Energetic charged particles from these events are carried from the sun by solar winds and eventually enter Earth’s atmosphere. The particles collide with molecules in our atmosphere and, as the air particles shed the energy acquired during the collision, each one glows in a different color.
On December 31, two coronal mass ejections struck Earth’s magnetic field and created an intense geomagnetic storm. In turn, vivid auroras were spotted as far south as Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona.
Geomagnetic storms are ranked on a scale of G1 to G5 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with G5 being extreme. According to the NOAA, G1 (minor) conditions were announced on December 31, but escalated to G3 (strong) by January 1 after the second CME arrived. The geomagnetic storm has since subsided, but more northern lights sightings are predicted.
According to space weather physicist Tamitha Skov, there’s a possibility that the northern lights will make another appearance soon, thanks to a new solar storm launching. “Although faint in coronagraphs thus far, this one may bring another chance for #aurora during January 3 & 4!” she wrote on X.
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Are you ready to witness one of nature’s most breathtaking displays? The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, may be visible this week in certain locations around the world. This stunning natural light show is caused by solar particles interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere, creating colorful displays of light dancing across the night sky.
If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of this awe-inspiring phenomenon, here are a few tips to help you maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights:
1. Check the forecast: Keep an eye on the weather forecast and look for clear skies and minimal light pollution. The best time to see the Northern Lights is typically during the fall and winter months when the nights are longer and darker.
2. Head to a dark location: Light pollution can hinder your ability to see the Northern Lights, so try to find a spot away from city lights. National parks, rural areas, and high-altitude locations are often good options for viewing the auroras.
3. Stay up late: The Northern Lights are most commonly visible in the late evening and early morning hours, so be prepared to stay up late or wake up early for the best chance of seeing them.
4. Be patient: Seeing the Northern Lights is not guaranteed, so be prepared to wait for a while. Sometimes the auroras appear suddenly and only last for a short period of time, so it’s important to be patient and keep your eyes on the sky.
So grab a blanket, bundle up, and keep your eyes peeled for the Northern Lights this week. It’s sure to be a magical experience that you won’t soon forget!
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