The Northern Lights Could be Visible Over New England This Week

For those who love to view celestial phenomena, 2024 has been a great year. In addition to the eclipse, the comet, and the annual meteor showers, we have also had increased Aurora Borealis activity.

There have already been several opportunities (one in March and one in April) to see the Northern Lights in the lower latitudes, and it appears we will have another opportunity this week.

What is a Solar Cycle?

As you may already know, the sun is on a constant 11-year cycle.

According to NASA, about every 11 years, the sun's poles completely flip. As the sun goes through this process, the amount of solar activity fluctuates.

As we near the current cycle's peak, we see increased solar activity. This means we see more flares, coronal mass ejections, and solar storms. The particles from these events hitting the upper atmosphere cause the Aurora Borealis. The more intense the storm, the more brilliant the northern lights are.

When Can I See the Northern Lights?

According to an article on the KJ website, there is a good chance that much of Maine, along with the northernmost parts of New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, will be able to see the northern lights on Tuesday evening.

The best viewing in Maine will be from a point north of Augusta. The farther north you go, the better your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

It goes without saying that you will have a better view of the lights on a clear night than you would on a cloudy night.

Also, keep in mind that the brightness of the Moon could make it difficult to see the spectacular lights. Currently, the moon is just over 90% illuminated. That's bright enough to make the lights appear less spectacular. The good news is that there will be a few minutes between the time the sun sets (about 8:14 p.m.) and the time when the Moon rises. This will be the peak time for viewing the Aurora Borealis.

If you end up seeing the Aurora, takes some pictures and share them with us on social media or through our app.

16 Unforgettable Maine Day (& Night) Cruises

Want to have some fun on the water without spending thousands of dollars and spending a week away? Check out these great day cruises. Some of these are purely for sightseeing but may feature some kind of event. Check out the list and let us know if there are some we should add to the list.