Expert: Paul Wagner - 9/9/2009

Question
Is there a way to tell when the Northern Lights might be able to be seen from Massachusetts?

Answer
Hi Mike

The answer to your question is yes...and no.

There are three factors that influence the appearance of Northern lights.

1.  They tend to appear during peak Solar activity...when the sun starts shooting out a lot of flares, it's time to start looking.  

2.  It is easier to see them when the sky is really dark, so take that into account, and avoid nights of full moon.  

3.  Northern Lights appear closer to the celestial pole...and the nights are longer during the winter time--that's the best time to look for them.

So if you can add those things together:  a moonless night in winter, during a period of high solar activity, your odds are greatly enhanced that you will see some northern lights.

Paul Wagner