Northern lights could shine over Michigan. How to see them this week
Jalen Williams- The northern lights are predicted to be visible in parts of Michigan on Thursday and Friday night.
- NOAA has an aurora dashboard that can help people track the phenomenon.
- Using a phone camera in night mode can help capture the northern lights if they are difficult to see with the naked eye.
In addition to a full moon and lunar eclipse, Michiganders — particularly those in the UP — could see the northern lights Thursday and Friday nights.
The potential viewing area across North America includes the UP and areas in northern Michigan, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center said.
The NOAA website said Earth will see solar activity in the Kp 4 range, which means higher levels of solar particles could make the aurora visible as far south as Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine.
What are the northern lights?
The northern lights are caused by collisions between fast-moving particles (electrons) from space and the oxygen and nitrogen gas in the atmosphere, NASA said.
The electrons originate in the magnetosphere, the region of space controlled by Earth’s magnetic field.
As they rain into the atmosphere, the electrons impart energy to oxygen and nitrogen molecules, making them excited. When the molecules return to their normal state, they release photons, small bursts of energy in the form of light.
Why do the northern lights have different colors?
The color of the aurora depends on which gas is being excited by the electrons and on how much energy is being exchanged, NASA said.
Oxygen emits either a greenish-yellow light (the most familiar color of the aurora) or a red light; nitrogen generally gives off a blue light. The oxygen and nitrogen molecules also emit ultraviolet light, which can only be detected by special cameras on satellites.
When is the best time to see the northern lights?
If the weather is clear, the best aurora is usually visible within an hour or two of midnight, according to NOAA.
The agency maintains an aurora dashboard that should help skygazers track the phenomenon.
Will it be cloudy tonight?
The weather forecast for northern Michigan, including Gaylord, Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette, calls for mostly cloudy skies, the National Weather Service said.
Can't see the northern lights? Use your phone
If you're having trouble seeing the northern lights with the naked eye, try using your phone camera in night mode and hold still while capturing the photo. You might be surprised at what's dancing in the sky.
When is the total lunar eclipse?
The total lunar eclipse will occur overnight from March 13 to early March 14, 2025, depending upon which time zone you are in.
In Michigan, the lunar eclipse will begin at 11:57 p.m. on March 13, reach its maximum at 2:58 a.m., and end at 6 a.m., according to timeanddate.com.
Where can you view the eclipse, northern lights in Michigan?
You can view the eclipse with the naked eye or using binoculars or a telescope, the NWS says. The northern lights may be visible with the naked eye, and darker locations will make that more likely.
For the best viewing chances, head to an open area away from urban light pollution, experts advise. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary.
- The Alpena area has three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park.
- In Mackinac City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, 15675 Headlands Road.
- In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front St.
- In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
- In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station, 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park at 41382 W. M-123.
- In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park, 1775 Port Austin Road.
- In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 5505 Morey Highway.
- In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park, 903 Wilderness Park Drive.
- Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international spots. And, finally, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is an international sanctuary.
Jalen Williams is a reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.