Missed the Northern Lights in GA Monday? You have another chance. Here’s when, how to watch
Georgia residents have sure had a treat lately — from a recent exciting snow day to a possible geomagnetic storm. Wait, what’s that last part?
According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, there’s a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for Jan 20th, following the initial storm on Jan. 19. This means that an eruption of solar material could reach earth and create an optimal opportunity to see the aurora borealis (northern lights) in the sky.
“Auroras may be visible over much of the northern half of the country and maybe as far south as Alabama,” said Space Weather experts.
The best times to see the auroras are typically the darkest months of the year, from September to April, and between 9 p.m and 3 a.m. each night when there’s a storm. Although tonight’s lows could dip into the 20s, this chance to see the aurora is the best chance in months, said AccuWeather meteorologists. So, bundle up! Here are more tips for aurora-watching:
- Find dark skies and get away from city lights.
- Look north (or south if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere): Auroras tend to appear near the magnetic poles.
- Use a camera. Faint auroras can be hard to spot with the naked eye, but a camera with a long exposure, especially a modern smartphone, can reveal subtle hints of color that might otherwise go unnoticed. Try scanning the sky with your camera to see if anything pops. That way, you’ll know where to focus your attention when the show kicks off.
Have more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
