How To See The Northern Lights This Week In New York

You may have caught a glimpse of them before, but you probably have never seen it like this….

On Wednesday night, you will have the best view of the Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights, and it’s all thanks to one solar storm. 

What Is A Solar Storm?

A solar storm is a disturbance on the Sun. It can emanate outward across the heliosphere and affect the entire solar system potentially, which may include Earth and its magnetosphere. 

A solar storm happens as a result of different space weather or space climate. 

Is It Dangerous For Humans?

Although eruptions and disturbances from the sun can affect the atmosphere, including satellites, power grids, and radio communications, they do not harm people. 

There is no risk for radiation damage in this solar storm. 

What Can Happen During A Solar Storm?

Some people call it an “internet apocalypse” which is just a dramatic way of saying that you may lose your internet connection for a few hours. 

When a solar storm hits the earth’s magnetic field, radio communications and the power grid are affected. It can cause power and radio blackouts for a few hours or even a few days. It could also cause your WiFi network to act weird, and it may insist that you’re connected when you’re not. 

But hey – maybe a lack of internet connection would be a good reason to step outside and look at the Northern Lights! 

How To See The Northern Lights 

The Northern Lights will be visible in 17 states as a result of the solar storm, including Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Indiana, Maine and Maryland.

The best times to see the Northern Lights are between 10 PM to 2 AM on Wednesday and Thursday, with Thursday evening being the best chance to see them. And the further north you are, the better your chance will be to see the Northern Lights! 

So Buffalo, New York sounds like prime real estate for this solar phenomenon. 

Bill Murtagh, the program coordinator at the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, CO, told The Associated Press that “the show gets better the farther north you go, as the energized particles interact with the atmosphere closer to Earth.” 

Hopefully the skies are clear and you can avoid light pollution. Make sure your eyes are in the sky between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Thursday night into early Friday morning.