Northern lights 2024: How to see the aurora borealis in the US and around the world

The northern lights, scientifically known as the aurora borealis, are a mesmerizing natural phenomenon that occurs in polar regions when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. These interactions create vibrant colors and dazzling curtains of light in the night sky.

Commonly associated with polar locations in Scandinavia, Alaska, Canada and Iceland, the northern lights have recently been visible as far south in the United States as Iowa and Nebraska.

Beyond their scientific importance, the cultural and historical significance of the northern lights, coupled with their rarity and uniqueness, make them an intriguing and awe-inspiring subject of interest for people worldwide.

Here is everything to know about the northern lights in 2024, including where in the United States you might be able to glimpse them.

What is the best place to see the northern lights?

The northern lights are best seen in high-latitude regions near the magnetic pole. Some of the best places to witness the northern lights include:

• Iceland.
• Norway.
• Sweden.
• Finland.
• Canada.
• Alaska.
• Russia.

Where can you see the northern lights in the US?

Alaska has the greatest frequency of northern lights visibility in the United States. In rare cases of strong geomagnetic storms, the northern lights can be visible in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine, according to Space Tourism Guide.

The northern lights have even been seen in Arkansas and Arizona. This increased visibility is linked to the upcoming "solar maximum" predicted for 2025, characterized by heightened solar activity, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections.

What time is best to see the northern lights tonight?

The most intense displays of the northern lights typically occur between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., with the optimal time for the best sightings often falling between 11 p.m. and midnight, according to Discover the World, a travel company that sells trips to see the northern lights.

2024's biggest astronomical eventsEvery eclipse, meteor shower and full moon all year

What causes the northern lights?

The northern lights are caused by the interaction between charged particles from the sun and the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. Here's a breakdown of the process according to Space.com:

• Solar wind: The sun continuously emits a stream of charged particles, primarily electrons and protons, known as the solar wind.
• Magnetic field interaction: When these charged particles are carried toward Earth by the solar wind, they interact with the Earth's magnetic field. The Earth's magnetic field is strongest near the polar regions.
• Magnetosphere and ionosphere interaction: As the charged particles approach the Earth, they are captured by the planet's magnetic field and directed toward the polar regions. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth's atmosphere, they transfer energy to the gases.
• Emission of light: The transfer of energy to the atmospheric gases causes them to emit light. Different gases emit different colors, resulting in the vibrant colors of the auroras. Oxygen at higher altitudes can produce red and green colors, while nitrogen can contribute to purples, pinks, and blues.

Which month is best for northern lights?

The best months for viewing the northern lights are typically during the winter months, when the nights are the longest. These extended periods of darkness provide greater opportunities to see the auroras.

The prime months for Northern Lights viewing are late September to early April. The peak season is generally from October to March, according to the Aurora Zone, a travel company specializing in trips to see the northern lights.

Do the northern lights happen every night?

The northern lights do not occur every night. Their appearance depends on specific conditions in the Earth's atmosphere and interactions with charged particles from the sun.

Does the whole United States see the northern lights?

The northern lights are typically visible in regions close to the magnetic poles, and their visibility decreases as you move toward lower latitudes.

While the northern lights can occasionally be seen in parts of the northern United States during periods of high solar activity and strong geomagnetic storms, they are not regularly visible across the entire country.

Arizona's darkest places:These parks and cities have the best night skies for stargazing

How long do northern lights last?

The northern lights can last a few minutes to several hours. There's no guaranteed timeframe, and they can appear at any time during the night.

Why northern lights are so special?

The northern lights provide valuable insights into environmental processes such as magnetic field interactions, ionospheric and atmospheric dynamics and the broader field of space weather, according to Space.com.

Studying the auroras contributes to our understanding of solar-terrestrial relationships and enhances space weather forecasting.

The auroras also have cultural and mythological significance. Many Indigenous cultures and other societies have legends and stories associated with the northern lights. According to some beliefs, the northern lights are considered spirits or celestial beings.

The Sámi people, who inhabit northern parts of Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden, believed that whistling, waving or singing under them is thought to attract and disturb them and that doing so might lead to unfavorable consequences or disruptions in the natural balance.

What is the rarest color in the northern lights?

The most commonly observed color in the northern lights is green, which is caused by the interaction of charged particles with oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere.

The rarest color is typically considered to be red. Red auroras occur at higher altitudes and result from the interaction of charged particles with high-altitude oxygen.

Blue and purple auroras are less common and are observed during periods of heightened solar activity. These hues result from the collision of solar particles with nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere at altitudes of 60 miles or less, according to Space.com.

Typically, blue and purple auroras are visible in the lower sections of the auroral display.

Should you look north to see northern lights?

Yes. It may seem obvious, but looking toward the North Pole is the most common direction to observe the northern lights.

To observe the northern lights clearly, it's essential to be in an area with minimal light pollution. Away from city lights and in areas with a dark sky, the auroras are more visible. Even if you're in a location known for experiencing the northern lights, you may see them in some places and not others.

What's the difference between northern lights and aurora?

The terms "northern lights" and "aurora" are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference.

"Northern lights" specifically refers to the auroras that occur in the Northern Hemisphere. It is commonly associated with the aurora borealis, the display of lights visible near the North Pole.

"Aurora" is a more general term that encompasses both the aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere and the aurora australis, or southern lights, in the Southern Hemisphere.

So, "aurora" can refer to the lights in both hemispheres, according to Space.com.

Do northern sights make sound?

Scientific research gathered from Finland confirms that the northern lights do produce sounds, although often inaudible to humans.

However, these sounds are elusive, occurring during specific conditions, and are most common during the solar wind's intense peaks in the 11-year cycle. Thus, experiencing the northern lights and their sounds is not guaranteed even during optimal viewing conditions.

Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram.

Support local journalism and subscribe to azcentral.com.