Northern Lights
Not sure if this is the right heading to post this under but here goes. I'm fascinated with the northern lights (aurora borealis). I've only seen them once because I live in the deep south. The one ti...
Forum Discussion
missouri dave wrote:
Not sure if this is the right heading to post this under but here goes. I'm fascinated with the northern lights (aurora borealis). I've only seen them once because I live in the deep south. The one time I saw them was in northern Iowa right on the Minnesota line. Having never seen them I was in awe and actually had to ask what they were. I've since found out it was only because of extremely high whatever causes them that the lights were visible that night. My question is, is there anywhere in the lower 48 where the northern lights ARE regularly seen and is it more common at certain times of the year?
There is nowhere in the lower 48 to see them "regularly." Also we are well into solar minimum right now. The output of charged particles from the Sun is very low right now, these particles produce the most vibrant displays. There's lessor displays when a solar flare throws a bunch of radiation our way as well.
Arctic and Antarctic regions can see them more regularly but it's still not a guarantee.
Check these out for more info, you can sign up for alerts for your area as well...
http://spaceweather.com/
https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/images/aurora-forecast-northern-hemisphere.jpg
The NOAA link, pretty much any green halo means you won't see anything, yellow and red, a better chance.
