Northern Lights Over America

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Curtains of color thrown across the sky. This September and October may see the northern lights moving south.
Curtains of color thrown across the sky. This September and October may see the northern lights moving south.
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Though auroral displays may occur at any hour, the best time to see one is the middle of the night.
Though auroral displays may occur at any hour, the best time to see one is the middle of the night.
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Particles on the solar wind are captured by the earth's magnetic field and carried to the polar regions, where they form an
Particles on the solar wind are captured by the earth's magnetic field and carried to the polar regions, where they form an "auroral oval" around each pole.
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 Though the earth's magnetic field is unpredictable, with a little desire and a little luck, people all over the country may get a chance to see the sky's greatest display.
 Though the earth's magnetic field is unpredictable, with a little desire and a little luck, people all over the country may get a chance to see the sky's greatest display.
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Your chances of seeing the greatest displays of the northern lights are increased if you find yourself above 40° north latitude and away from city lights.
Your chances of seeing the greatest displays of the northern lights are increased if you find yourself above 40° north latitude and away from city lights.

On the nights of March 12 and 13, 1989, the phones of police and radio stations in southern parts of the country began ringing. People lucky enough to be outdoors marveled. A legend had become reality: The colored shapes of the aurora borealis glowed in skies as far south as the Caribbean and Central America. And there’s a strong chance people across the U.S. may see the lights again. In fact, September and October of 1989 should offer some prime opportunities.

Spotting an Auroral Display: What to Look For

Northern lights are, indeed, usually a phenomenon of the Far North. Even in southern Canada they seldom cover the entire sky. A typical good auroral display in the northernmost U.S. begins with the formation of a slightly greenish horizontal arc of light low in the north. Next, several vertical rays may appear within, or extend up from, the arc and begin to restlessly search the northern sky. Up to this point, the aurora is already eerie and beautiful enough. But, if it goes to the next amazing stage, the observer will never forget the experience.

Multiple arcs appear. These may become entirely composed of fine rays and form auroral curtains that may ripple along seeming folds as if blown by some vast wind. Red, purple, green and various combinations of these colors may tinge parts of the curtains with patches of radiance, pulsing on and off all over the sky. This light can upstage a full moon, or on a moonless night be bright enough to read by. If a curtain extends to directly overhead, it may be seen as an awesome auroral corona, sometimes rotating, with its curving arms of light extending to all quarters of the sky. The aurora may flicker five to 10 times a second, or it may flame with waves of brightness rolling from the bottom to the top of a formation so that the sky appears to be on fire. After maybe an hour of ceaseless activity, peaceful cloudlike patches of northern lights may slowly fade as the heavens return to rest. There may, however, be a second or third firing of auroral splendors before dawn.

Your chances of seeing the greatest displays of the northern lights are tremendously increased, of course, if you find yourself above 40° north latitude. Last March’s auroral storm in the southern U.S. consisted mostly of mighty patches of red aurora with only modest structure and movement. But you never can tell.

  • Published on Sep 1, 1989
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