To witness the aurora borealis — also known as the northern lights — conditions must align both in the sky and on the ground. During strong solar storms, like the current G3 and G4-class event, the aurora may extend far beyond its usual polar regions, becoming visible in areas where it's rarely seen.
Here’s how to maximize your chances of seeing it, both tonight and tomorrow night:
Find a dark, open location
Light pollution is the biggest obstacle. Leave cities and towns behind, and seek out open skies — ideally with a clear view to the northern horizon. Wide, rural spaces, hilltops, lakesides, or fields work well.
Check the forecast
Cloudless skies are essential. Use a local weather app to ensure there will be minimal cloud cover in your area. Also, monitor space weather services or aurora forecast apps, which provide real-time updates on geomagnetic activity.
Go out late at night
Auroras are usually most visible between 10 PM and 2 AM local time, though they can appear earlier or later depending on conditions. Give yourself at least an hour outdoors, as displays can shift quickly and unpredictably.
Let your eyes adjust
It can take 20–30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the darkness. Avoid looking at your phone or any artificial light during this time to help your night vision adapt.
Look north — but scan the sky
The aurora often begins low on the northern horizon, appearing as a faint glow, like pale green smoke or shifting curtains. During stronger storms, it may rise overhead and ripple across the sky in green, red, purple, or even blue.
Wear warm clothing and be patient
Depending on your location and the time of year, nights can be cooler. Dress in layers and bring something comfortable to sit or lie on. The aurora may come and go in waves, so patience is key.
Sometimes the aurora is too faint to see with your eyes, especially if there’s light pollution or your eyes haven’t fully adjusted to the dark. But your phone’s camera can often detect it.
Try using night mode or long exposure settings — even if the sky looks completely dark, the camera may reveal green or purple bands of light that aren't visible to the naked eye.
Hold your phone as steady as possible, or better yet, use a tripod or stable surface to avoid blur. After a few seconds, check the image — if auroras are present, they’ll usually show up as soft glows, streaks, or waves of color near the northern horizon. This method is especially useful during weaker displays that can’t be seen clearly without help
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