Aurora borealis with silhouette standing man on the mountain / Shutterstock
Many Canadians were privy to a spectacular Northern Lights display on Monday, May 13, and another viewing opportunity may be on the way.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm has been issued for May 16. What's more, the area that will most likely be affected by the aurora event falls between the green and the yellow line on the chart below; the Lower Mainland falls directly in that specified area.
The storm is, "due to a series of CMEs expected to arrive beginning on 15 May and lasting through 17 May."
NOAA
SPACE WEATHER PREDICTION CENTER NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Northern Lights in Canada
The Northern Lights are dancing over Prince Albert tonight. pic.twitter.com/gfXBv1ITe1
— Dennis Ogrodnick (@OgrodnickDennis) May 14, 2019
Of course, it is difficult to predict if the display will be as spectacular as it was on Monday night. The geomagnetic storm is no guarantee that lights will be visible. However, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of seeing the vibrant event.
Stargazers should opt to travel as far away from city lights as possible in order to avoid light pollution that will obscure the clarity of heavenly bodies. While this works best in more remote places, anywhere that has a higher elevation will also provide more ideal viewing conditions.
