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A hint of the northern lights may be back tonight
You could catch a glimpse of aurora borealis over New England tonight, but the show won’t be nearly as vibrant as Thursday’s stunning display.
Stargazing New Englanders who missed the dazzling display of pink and green northern lights this week may get another shot to see them on Friday night.
The northern lights made a rare appearance further south than usual on Sunday and again on Thursday, thanks to a powerful geomagnetic storm that caused vibrant aurora borealis.
According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), that solar storm has since subsided from a G4 to a G3. While the storm’s effects continue to diminish, Friday’s clear evening forecast means it’s still possible to catch a glimpse of the northern lights.
However, the lights likely won’t be as bright as Thursday’s intense display, and they won’t be visible as far south.
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“For many people, the aurora is a beautiful nighttime phenomenon that is worth traveling to arctic regions just to observe,” the SWPC said in its most recent forecast. “It is the only way for most people to actually experience space weather.”
According to the SWPC, the aurora borealis can most often be seen just after sunset or just before sunrise. The lights don’t need to be directly overhead to be seen, but if the aurora is bright and conditions are right, they can be observed from as far away as 1,000 kilometers.
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