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Geomagnetic storm hitting earth tonight could bring Aurora as far south as New York

Home> News> World News

Published 16:19 3 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Geomagnetic storm hitting earth tonight could bring Aurora as far south as New York

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a moderate warning

Lucy Devine

Lucy Devine

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Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: US News, Weather

Lucy Devine
Lucy Devine

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A geomagnetic storm set to hit Earth tonight could bring aurora as far south as New York.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a moderate warning, explaining people could spot the Northern Lights from NYC and Idaho.

The Northern Lights in Oregon back in May (Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images)
The Northern Lights in Oregon back in May (Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images)

They explain: "A coronal mass ejection (CME) is an eruption of solar material. When they arrive at Earth, a geomagnetic storm can erupt.

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"Watches of this level are not uncommon. The aurora may become visible over some northern and upper Midwest states, from New York to Idaho."

It's been a hugely active year for aurora borealis, with more CMEs than usual.

Back in May, the Northern Lights lit up the skies across different parts of America, with many seeing the spectacle for the first time ever.

A G5 geomagnetic storm - the strongest level of geomagnetic storm - hit Earth on Thursday May 9, with the lights visible as far south as California.

Although Saturday's (August 3) storm won't be as strong, it's definitely worth trying to catch the lights later this evening and into the early hours of Sunday (August 4) morning - especially if clear skies are forecast near you.

Back in May, a photographer and aurora expert, Wil Photography, shared some tips on how you can catch the aurora on your phone.

On Facebook, he wrote: "If your phone has night mode, simply use that and either use a tripod or lean it against something for 10-15 seconds exposure, click on screen to focus on distant bright star and that should work.

"If not then download an app called nightcap camera for iPhone or Open camera for Android.

"With settings - iso 2000 lowest number for f and shutter speed around 10 seconds, again using a tripod, make sure you focus on a distant bright star.

"Camera on manual mode and manual focus, take off image stabilisation/vibration control, place camera on tripod, focus manually onto a distant star.

"Settings to start with iso 3200, shutter speed 10 seconds, aperture as wide as your lens can go (f2.8 etc)."

The lights were visible in California (David McNew/Getty Images)
The lights were visible in California (David McNew/Getty Images)

Wil explained why it's so important to use a wide lens, adding: "Use the widest lens you have so you can have longer shutter speeds - 14mm , 20mm 24mm etc.

"If you don’t have a fast lens, then ramp up your iso, do not increase your shutter speed beyond 10 seconds as you will get star trails using a 35mm lens and above."

Although the weather in New York this evening is looking pretty cloudy, it's certainly worth keeping an eye out.

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