Top 5 Things You Need to Know About the Northern Lights in 2024
- The northern lights are reaching peak visibility this year thanks to the solar maximum, a phase of heightened solar activity that supercharges auroras with brighter colors and more frequent displays.
- You don't have to trek to the Arctic Circle to see them—locations like northern Michigan, Maine, and even parts of Scotland have reported stunning views during recent geomagnetic storms.
- The best time to catch the show is typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, especially on clear, dark nights with minimal light pollution and a high Kp index (a measure of geomagnetic activity).
- A new phenomenon called "STEVE" (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement) is confusing tourists and scientists alike, as it appears as a purple-pink ribbon that isn't actually an aurora but a separate, rare atmospheric glow.
- Smartphone cameras have a secret advantage: they often capture the vibrant reds and greens of the northern lights better than the human eye, so snap a long-exposure photo even if the sky looks faintly grey.