Southern Alberta Could See the Northern Lights Tonight!

A solar storm is brewing, and it might just give residents of Southern Alberta a chance to catch a glimpse of the stunning Aurora Borealis tonight!

Roland Dechesne from the Royal Astronomical Society‘s Calgary Chapter shared that the storm kicked off on Tuesday afternoon, around 3:45 PM.

Dechesne mentioned that while there was an initial impact from the storm, the particles that made contact with Earth might not lead to a spectacular light show. “The polarity of the material that hit is likely the wrong direction, so it might not interact strongly,” he explained. “We’ll have to wait and see if the conditions change.”

As the night goes on, there’s still hope that the situation could improve. Dechesne added, “If the polarity shifts, we could be in for a stronger display, possibly visible higher in the sky.” Essentially, the initial hit might just be a warm-up!

The moon might also play a role tonight. Dechesne noted that it could help illuminate the sky if the Northern Lights do appear, despite being a little past the full moon phase.

If you’re planning to stay up and watch, the moonlight should enhance the experience, but if you’re more of an evening stargazer, the smoke in the air might hinder visibility.

Fortunately, if the auroras become bright enough, the smoke won’t be too much of an issue, as less atmosphere can mean a clearer view overhead.

Light pollution isn’t too bad in Foothills County, but Dechesne recommends finding a dark spot for the best chance of seeing the lights. He advises, “Try to get out of town, maybe head east or west of Okotoks to avoid the glow from Calgary.”

For anyone keen on tracking the Aurora Borealis tonight, Dechesne encourages keeping an eye on the latest updates to plan the perfect viewing adventure!