If you live in Alaska or Canada, you’ll have a fantastic view of the northern lights on May 6 and 7. But fear not, you don’t have to live way up north to see the show. Several states will also have a decent view of the beautiful colors in the sky. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the northern portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa, and Maine will also have a shot at seeing the northern lights. The effect will be less than those in Alaska and Canada, but still beautiful.
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You’ll Have To Stay Up Late To See The Northern Lights May 6 And 7
The best view of the northern lights on May 6 and 7 will be between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Per the NOAA, “The two maps show the aurora and viewline tonight and tomorrow night. The brightness and location of the aurora is typically shown as a green oval centered on Earth’s magnetic pole. The green ovals turn red when the aurora is forecast to be more intense. Aurora can often be observed somewhere on Earth from just after sunset or just before sunrise. The aurora is not visible during daylight hours. The aurora does not need to be directly overhead but can be observed from as much as 1000 km away when the aurora is bright and if conditions are right.”
If you can get to the country, that’s the best way to see the northern lights on May 6 and 7. Photographer Mikko Lagerstedt recommends going to the country to see the northern lights. “Stay away from city lights. If you have captured night shots, you know how bad those lights can look on the horizon. That’s why I always recommend avoiding light pollution.”
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