Posted in New Jersey Natural Wonders, Nature December 09, 2020 by

The Northern Lights May Be Visible Over New Jersey This Week Due To A Solar Storm

The Northern Lights are a beautiful natural phenomenon caused by magnetic activity and solar winds. Also known as the Polar Lights or Aurora Borealis, they’re typically only visible in Arctic regions. The best places to see the Northern Lights include parts of Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. In the United States, Alaska is often the only option. However, we may be in for a treat!

The Northern Lights are most often green but can also be beautiful shades of red, violet, pink, orange, yellow, white, and blue. The colors depend on the gasses in the atmosphere.
Noppawat Tom Charoensinphon/Moment Collection/Getty Images
Should they be visible in our area, they will most likely be a faint but noticeable shade of green.
Arctic-Images/Stone Collection/Getty Images
Due to a massive G3 solar storm on December 10th and increased magnetic activity, the lights may be visible anywhere above the green line on this map. On the East Coast, this includes any place north of South Carolina.
Image: Geophysical Institute Of Alaska
New Jersey is actually poised pretty well for viewing, with North and Central New Jersey falling in the core band.
(c) by Cristóbal Alvarado Minic/Moment Collection/Getty Images
Even though our show may be more subtle, it's still something special to see. Dark skies and higher elevations are important, so Sussex and Warren counties may be your best bet. However, the forecast calls for clear skies across the state, upping all of our odds!
Jami Tarris/Stone Collection/Getty Images

The solar storm will be taken place from December 9th until December 11th but the evening of December 10th is set to be the best night for viewing. Be sure to look toward the northern sky. Let us know if you see a green glow or an even more incredible show! We’re also in the middle of the best meteor shower of the year over New Jersey, so there’s another reason to look up at the stars!

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