Stunning northern lights turn sky green in Alaska
Residents in Alaskan city of Venetie got treated to a stunning celestial display that turned the sky green.
Michigan skies featured the dazzling northern lights Sunday night and many in the Upper Peninsula could see them again Monday night, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) forecast.
The view line on the SWPC’s dashboard map shows people in up to seven states could see the northern lights, or aurora borealis, Monday night, Sept. 15. In Michigan, the shimmering lights could be visible in the night sky across the Upper Peninsula, NOAA says.
Sunday night, a strong geomagnetic storm created dazzling lights over Michigan and much of the country.
The storm is receding, making viewing less likely farther south, but the National Weather Service predicts mainly clear skies in most areas in the UP, overnight Sept. 15, allowing for ideal viewing conditions. Sky watchers can head to dark, open areas to get your best look at the auroras.
NOAA says a G0 geomagnetic storm, a worldwide disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field, is expected to produce a Kp index of 3.
Kp is an index used to indicate the severity of the global magnetic disturbances in near-Earth space, NOAA said. Kp ratings increase from zero to 9.
NOAA is predicting minor geomagnetic storm impacts.
Here’s what to know about northern lights viewing chances.
When could the northern lights be visible?
The northern lights could be visible in Michigan’s UP Monday night, Sept. 15, per the SWPC.
What are the northern lights?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are waves of light created when the solar wind strikes the atmosphere, creating a display of moving lights in the night sky.
Auroras typically appear in a range of colors, including greens, pinks and reds, often featuring several shades of these colors.
Which states could see the northern lights?
The NOAA says the red view line marks the southernmost extent where aurora might be seen on the northern horizon.
The view line for Sept. 15 includes parts of the following states:
IdahoMichiganMinnesotaMontanaNorth DakotaWashingtonWisconsinWhy do the northern lights have different colors?
The color of the aurora depends on which gas is being excited by the electrons and on how much energy is being exchanged, NASA said.
Oxygen emits either a greenish-yellow light (the most familiar color of the aurora) or a red light; nitrogen generally gives off a blue light. The oxygen and nitrogen molecules also emit ultraviolet light, which can only be detected by special cameras on satellites.
Can’t see the northern lights? Use your phone
If you’re having trouble seeing the northern lights with the naked eye, try using your phone camera in night mode and hold still while capturing the photo. You might be surprised at what’s dancing in the sky.
Michigan residents share images of northern lights online
Here’s a look at the stunning northern lights across Michigan skies Sunday night, Sept. 14.
The Lansing State Journal contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi:Â jprestininzi@freepress.com.