You Can See The Northern Lights Tonight in Iowa
Wow, the northern lights were spectacular, last night. Yes, last night, lucky for you friend, because of some stuff I'll explain in a minute, there may be another chance tonight to see the northern lights. Normally the North Pole is a hotbed of northern lights, the capital of the world for them but the lights have been on tour. Hopefully, Ticketmaster doesn't find out because the lights could then come with a hefty fee for viewing and then a fee, fee. Check them out before the price goes up. When can you see the northern lights tonight in Iowa?
What is Space Weather?
The Space Weather Prediction Center says 'Space Weather' is the variations in the space environment between the sun and Earth that can affect technologies and systems on Earth and in orbit. That brings a question to mind, why didn't any weather forecaster ever give us the space forecast? Seems that might be kind of important.
TONIGHT!
Some Geomagic Keeps the Lights Burning
It was because of a solar storm earlier this week when the sun decided to act out a little. The geomagnetic storm that made the aurora borealis visible last night will give Iowans another chance to see the lights tonight.
Looking at National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration projections tonight seems to be the last of the northern lights for Iowa. Also, tonight's lights won't be as bright as last night but still a site to behold. It's on a lot of bucket lists.
Tomorrow Night (Chances are slim Saturday will be lit by the north)
Your Phone is Your Friend When Viewing the Northern Lights
Just because you are in the aurora borealis belt, you find the perfect spot, it's no guarantee you'll see anything. The lights might be glimmering overhead and your eyes just can't see them. Using your phone might make things a little bit better. The phone camera allows more light in than the human eye, plus technology called computational photography and AI allow these devices to capture stunning images that your eye might not even see.
The great pictures of the northern lights included in this article were taken by my sister-in-law Morgan Berns at Palisades-Dows Observatory run by the Cedar Amateur Astronomers. These were all taken via a cell phone camera. Happy northern lights Hunting.
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