The Space Weather Prediction Center predicts that two Geomagnetic storms will crash together this weekend.  And the collision will provide an opportunity to view the Aurora Borealis also known as the Northern Lights.

The best place to get a clear view is under an oval-shaped region between the north and south latitudes of about 60 and 75 degrees. At these polar latitudes, the aurora can be seen than half of the nights on any given year.

Geomagnetic Storms are the result of solar wind and debris from the sun entering into the Earth's atmosphere. This collision in the sky creates a beautiful natural light display.

Washington state may get to see the best views of the Northern Lights on Saturday. But it’s possible that the phenomena may also be seen in Northern Idaho and Northern Oregon.

This is not the first time this year that the US has caught glimpses of the light show. Connecticut and areas in the Northeast had clear views this summer.

Space Weather Forecast

To be able to see the aurora phenomena, the skies must be clear and cloud-free. It has to be dark. Bright city lights may drown out the view. And during the summer months the midnight sun in Alaska prevents auroral observations.

The clearer weather on Saturday will be best for viewing the space phenomena without the obstruction of clouds.

A Space Weather meteorologist said the moon will be in its waxing crescent phase, with only 3% of its nearside surface illuminated by the sun. This means there will be less light pollution.

The online platform forecasts the location and intensity of the aurora borealis. And is a useful tool for skywatchers hoping to see the aurora borealis this weekend.

Geomagnetic Storms

A Coronal Mass Ejection storm is anticipated to send solar material into space. Its mass is a solid localized magnetic field which can creates the storm effect.

The lights in the sky are legendary for their breathtaking beauty., and this is not the first time that a state has been able to see lights, as Connecticut was able to catch a glimpse, as well as other states during the summer. 

According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab electrically charged particles are pulled into the Earth's magnetosphere (gravity), which causes them to glow in various colors as they release energy.

What are Northern Lights?

Both the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) are the result of electrons colliding with the upper reaches of Earth’s atmosphere. 

The electrons are energized through acceleration processes in the downwind tail (night side) of the magnetosphere and at lower altitudes along auroral field lines. 

 In these collisions, the electrons transfer their energy to the atmosphere stirring the atoms and molecules to higher energy states. 

As the energy states calm, they are released in the form of light. This is similar to how a neon light performs. The aurora typically manifests 80 to 500 km or 50 to 310.6 miles above the Earth’s surface.

Earth’s magnetic pull captures the electrons, so the aurora forms two ovals centered at the magnetic poles. During major geomagnetic storms these ovals expand away from the poles so that the light show may be seen over most of the U.S.

 Aurora comes in several different shapes often forming tall sweeping rays that look like a curtain folded across the sky.

During the evening, these rays can form arcs that stretch from horizon to horizon.

By midnight, the arcs often begin to twist and sway. And they can look like a wind blowing on the curtains of light.

 At some point, the arcs may expand to fill the whole sky, moving rapidly and becoming very bright. This is the peak of what is called an auroral substorm.

In early morning hours the phenomena can take on a cloud-like appearance and patches of the sky often blink on and off repeatedly for hours. As the sun rises in the East its light drowns out the Northern Lights.