ToplineThe northern lights could be visible from some northern US states on Sunday night, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, although forecasters are not currently expecting any space weather that would normally make the lights visible further south. The aurora has a slim chance of being visible from some states along the US-Canada border on Sunday night. Getty ImagesKey Data NOAA forecasts a Kp index of four out of nine on Sunday night, meaning the aurora could appear brighter with more “movement and formations” in some places. NOAA forecasters were not expecting any space weather events that could impact the aurora on Sunday night, according to the agency’s most recent three-day forecast; However, the agency issued an alert for the highest expected Kp rate on Sunday afternoon. Where could the northern lights be visible? The aurora has a “low” chance of visibility in several states along the US-Canada border, according to NOAA’s forecast map. These include northern Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The lights also have a high probability of being visible from most of Alaska. However, the sun sets very late in Alaska during the summer months, meaning the night sky may not darken enough for the aurora to become visible. What is the best way to see the Northern Lights? NOAA experts recommend that viewers travel as far north as possible to catch a glimpse of the aurora. Viewers should then position themselves at an ideal vantage point with a good view of the sky looking north, ideally as far away as possible from cities or other sources of bright lights. The aurora is most active in the hours just before and after midnight, according to NOAA, so viewers should try to look for the aurora between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. What is the best way to photograph the northern lights? A photographer who spoke to National Geographic said viewers can take quality photos of the Northern Lights using smartphone cameras, as long as they use the right equipment and settings. Photographers should remember to bring a tripod and a remote timer when trying to capture images of the lights, as all cameras must remain still for long periods of time to capture the aurora in the dark night sky. Smartphone users should also remember to turn off the flash settings, activate night mode, and shoot using the RAW image format if possible.
