Can you see the Northern Lights from New Jersey this week?

🔴 The 11-year solar cycle makes it possible to see the northern lights even further south

Those looking forward to seeing the Northern Lights in New Jersey on Thursday may be disappointed.

Thursday’s forecast for a solar storm is expected to give skywatchers in 17 states a chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Aurora Borealis is the most frequent colorful sky show in Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia and is caused by the magnetic solar wind hitting the atmosphere.

The storm is part of an 11-year solar cycle expected to peak in 2024, making the light visible in more southern locations.

No promises to New Jersey

But in New Jersey, there have been several strikes over being able to see the natural light show.

The Geophysical Laboratory at the University of Alaska Fairbanks states that the Northern Lights are located in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Indiana, Maine, and Maryland. .

While not entirely out of the question, New Jersey is not on that list.

There are two different ways of thinking about how much light is actually visible.

Dan Zarrow, chief meteorologist for New Jersey 101.5, said the website spaceweather.com called for a small G1-class geomagnetic storm to pass close to Earth. NASA predicts a “blow”, while NOAA calls for a complete miss.

Zarow said many meteorologists lean toward the latter, believing the aurora promises to be futile.

Finally, according to Zarrow, the forecast does not appear to be cooperative.

“With more clouds on Thursday night and a possible thunderstorm, it’s safe to say that viewing conditions are not ideal in New Jersey,” Zarrow said.

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