Stargazers across the northern United States should keep their eyes on the sky Thursday night. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a moderate display of the aurora borealis. The lights, driven by a Kp index of 4, are expected to be brighter than usual and ‘quite pleasing to look at,’ according to the forecast.
Unlike stronger events, no geomagnetic storms are on the horizon for Thursday or the weekend. That means the show may be more subtle, yet still visible from the right spots. The preliminary outlook for Friday night is nearly identical, also with a Kp index of 4.
Alaskans will have the best view. Much of the state carries a high likelihood of seeing the aurora, the agency says. Elsewhere, a decent chance exists for much of Montana and North Dakota, along with the northern half of Minnesota. Smaller odds appear for northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Michigan, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
For hopeful viewers, NOAA recommends traveling as far north as possible, finding a high vantage point and steering clear of light pollution. Photography experts who spoke to National Geographic advise using a tripod to stabilize the shot, a wide-angle lens and a lower shutter speed. iPhone users can enable night mode, turn off the flash and shoot in RAW format.
The northern lights have been a frequent visitor to U.S. skies in recent years. The sun is nearing the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, and activity has surpassed expectations. NASA noted a 500-year peak in 2024. That excitement, though, may fade as the cycle winds down. Auroral activity is expected to decline through the latter half of the decade.