A solar flare that erupted on the sun could mean Michigan skies will fill with a dazzling northern lights on Thursday night, Aug. 27, as a partial lunar eclipse takes place, and potentially stronger lights on Aug. 28.
NOAA says a G1 geomagnetic storm watch, a worldwide disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field, could produce a Kp index of 5 Thursday night, Aug. 27, leading to potentially strong aurora borealis, or northern lights, visibility. A G2 geomagnetic storm watch was issued for Friday, NOAA said, because of the "anticipated arrival of CMEs that left the Sun on 25 Aug."
Thursday, the aurora could be overhead in the Upper Peninsula and visible throughout the state to the north.
Kp is an index used to indicate the severity of the global magnetic
disturbances in near-Earth space, NOAA said. Kp ratings increase from zero to 9. NOAA is predicting minor geomagnetic storm impacts.
Under mostly clear, dry skies Thursday night, Aug. 27, the local National Weather Service offices said, consider heading to one of Michigan's dark sky areas for a closer look at the lunar eclipse and colorful auroras.
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Here's what to know about the northern lights forecast during the lunar eclipse.
When could the northern lights be visible?
The northern lights could be visible in northern Michigan Thursday night, Aug. 27, the SWPC, and Friday night, Aug. 28, because of "anticipated arrival of CMEs that left the Sun on 25 Aug."
Will Michigan see lunar eclipse Thursday night?
Yes, the partial lunar eclipse will be visible in Michigan. The eclipse will see 96% of the moon covered by Earth's shadow, per Space.com.
The eclipse will begin at 9:23 p.m. on Aug. 27 and end at 3:01 a.m. on Aug. 28, with maximum totality at 12:12 a.m. on Aug. 28 in cities statewide, per Timeanddate.com.
What are the northern lights?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are waves of light created when the solar wind strikes the atmosphere, creating a display of moving lights in the night sky.
How far away from the Earth is the moon?
The average distance between the Earth and the moon is 238,855 miles.
At its farthest from the Earth, the moon is about 252,088 miles away and astronomers say it's at apogee.
When the moon is at perigee, it's 225,623 miles away.
Why do the northern lights have different colors?
The color of the aurora depends on which gas is being excited by the electrons and on how much energy is being exchanged, NASA said.
Oxygen emits either a greenish-yellow light (the most familiar color of the aurora) or a red light; nitrogen generally gives off a blue light. The oxygen and nitrogen molecules also emit ultraviolet light, which can only be detected by special cameras on satellites.
Can't see the northern lights? Use your phone
If you're having trouble seeing the northern lights with the naked eye, try using your phone camera in night mode and hold still while capturing the photo. You might be surprised at what's dancing in the sky.
The Lansing State Journal contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Solar flare could mean bright northern lights. When to expect aurora
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