Best Time To See Northern Lights In Michigan Tonight

Late fall and spring months are considered to be peak times as solar activity is the most intense.

Best time to see northern lights in michigan tonight.

Tucked on the northernmost tip of the keweenaw peninsula on the shores of lake superior copper harbor is the best viewing spot in michigan. Here are the best places in michigan to see the northern lights in action. Bright lights and pollution only hinder a possible viewing experience. The northern lights the northern lights are a spectacular phenomenon that are hard to predict and hard to forget.

When looking north over lake superior one. However the northern lights are not out every night. The aurora borealis also known as the northern lights may be visible around the state if cloud cover doesn t block the view. This natural phenomenon can fill the night sky with surreal color sometimes appearing as a slowly shifting glow occasionally looking like colorful curtains waving in the breeze.

In recent years especially along the lake michigan shoreline of michigan we have been blessed with some dramatic amazing views of the northern lights or aurora borealis as it is officially known. This allows for sky watchers in the northern u s. You also need maximum darkness and clear skies to be able to see aurora borealis. The season of aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere lasts from august through april.

This solar wind puts a pressure on earth s magnetic field which is. Michigan residents could get a special atmospheric treat tonight if weather permits. To see this magnificent night sky display including the mackinaw area. Check out the best places in michigan to see the northern lights.

The darker the moon the better. Full moons hurt a bit because they increase ambient light and darkness is best for viewing. But you also want few competing light sources so get away from the city lights and let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Their occurrence is tied to the activity of the sun and the solar wind caused by the eruption of spots on the sun s surface.

By this time the northern lights started to show on the horizon and would gain strength as the night progressed. Northern michigan sits in a great location latitude wise as the auroral oval dips further south on nights of stronger auroral activity. The upper peninsula is blessed with hundreds of miles of shoreline along the south shore of lake superior which provides some of the best northern lights viewing in the lower 48 due to the very dark night skies. I was beyond thrilled august 30 31 2019 ended up sparking a few g1 level events.

In north america it s easiest to see the northern lights in alaska and canada s yukon northwest territories and nunavut provinces but they have also been observed as far south as new orleans. The northern lights can appear as soon as 30 45 minutes after sunset but are more likely to be seen during the darkest time of the night typically from midnight to 2am.