The northern lights shone bright across several U.S. states Tuesday night, but your best chance to see the dazzling display in New Jersey could be tonight.
A “strong” solar storm that emitted a burst of highly energetic particles from the sun over the weekend is interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere, triggering colorful geomagnetic storms across the northern U.S. states. A geomagnetic storm watch issued by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center shows tonight is the best opportunity to see the red, green and purple hues dancing in the night sky.
While Canada and several northern states can witness the atmospheric phenomenon tonight, depending on the storm’s intensity — which experts say are difficult to predict — it may be visible as far south as New Jersey.
Here’s what to know about the northern lights, and how you might be able to spot them in New Jersey.
Can you see the northern lights tonight in NJ?
Even though conditions are proving ideal for geomagnetic storm viewing, experts have long struggled to predict the strength and where or when auroras will even occur. Even the best predictions can change within a 30-minute time frame, as seen on NOAA’s continuously updated website.
It may be possible to view the northern lights in New Jersey tonight, particularly since this storm has the potential to be a K-index of 7 or greater, according to NOAA. This means that the auroras will be “quite bright and active.”
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center provides updates every half hour, as well as a map that provides where the auroras may be viewed tonight.
What is the best time to view the northern lights?
As is the case with any space-related phenomenon, if the weather is clear and it’s dark out, that is usually the best chance to see anything in the sky. NOAA suggests the best time to see the auroras are within an hour or two of midnight, which means anytime between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
What is the weather in New Jersey tonight?
It’s expected to be chilly tonight in New Jersey with a few snow flurries lingering across higher elevations to the north as temperatures drop at or below freezing, according to NOAA. Clouds may be overhead into the evening, but are expected to clear throughout the region due to decreasing winds.
Winds in New Jersey are expected to gust above 40 mph today but will slow this evening (helpful if you’re holding a camera), although a light breeze may linger through the night, according to the latest weather update from NOAA.
What are the best places to see northern lights in New Jersey?
Dark areas away from city lights are the best places to see the northern lights, such as a local, state or national park, provided they are open to the public. Other areas without light pollution can include lakes, open fields, ponds or areas of higher elevation.
Where are the northern lights visible tonight?
The auroras are best viewed in states that are closest to the magnetic poles of the Northern and Southern hemispheres, with Alaska having the best views from the U.S. However, this storm is classified as stronger than usual, meaning auroras are visible father from the poles.
New Jersey may or may not be within view tonight, depending on the strength and how far the storm’s reach is; Accuweather said while northernmost states have the best viewing opportunity, auroras may reach further south.
In the U.S., these are the best states to view the storm in the Northeast region on Wednesday:
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Maine
How to take a picture of the northern lights
The northern lights may not always be visible to the naked eye but can be captured by taking a long-exposure photo. Here are some tips:
- If your cellphone has “Night Mode,” be sure to turn it on. This may just be enough to capture an impressive photo
- Consider a tripod for your smartphone, as it helps eliminate shaking especially for night photography
- Shooting in RAW mode makes it easier to make simple edits later on
Have a digital camera? Use a tripod, shoot in RAW mode, use a low f-number (f/2.8 or f/4), use an ISO between 100 and 800, depending on how dark your location is, and experiment with different shutter speeds.
What are the northern lights?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are the result of electrically charged particles from the Sun and gases in Earth’s outer atmosphere known for creating ribbons of colorful light in the night sky, often shades of green, red or purple.
Forecasters say electromagnetic activity is increasing as the sun continues to reach the height of its 11-year solar cycle, which is 2025, according to NASA. While we see the famous display as a striking sight, these solar eruptions bring potential impacts to power grids, satellite signals, radio communications, navigation and GPS, depending on their strength according to NOAA.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
