Image via muratart/Shutterstock
You might want to look up into the night sky this week as the Northern Lights could be visible in Toronto. Here’s what to know.
Stay vigilant on September 13th because our luck is about to change – for Toronto at least. Per the University of Alaska Fairbanks, auroral activity will be high on that date.
Looking for viewing locations? Check out these Dark Sky Preserves near Toronto.
“Weather permitting, highly active auroral displays will be visible overhead from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit to Vancouver, Helena, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Bay City, Toronto, Montpelier, and Charlottetown, and visible low on the horizon from Salem, Boise, Cheyenne, Lincoln, Indianapolis and Annapolis,” states the site.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a storm watch for that day and states that “G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels are likely on 13 Sep (UTC day) due to CME influences from an eruption that occurred early on 10 Sep.”
According to the University of Alaska, the best time to watch for aurora is three or four hours around midnight. Though they will occur throughout the night, they stand out around 9 PM to 3 AM.
Based on the Kp number system that measures the aurora strength – 0 being calm to 9 being a major geomagnetic storm with strong auroras visible. September 13th stands at a 6.
You’ll have to head out of the downtown core, possibly more north, if you want to get a better chance of viewing them.
Due to light pollution, it’ll be much more difficult to see them if you are in Trinity Bellwoods, for example.
Per Environment Canada, we’re in luck! Night skies from Thursday and into the weekend are expected to stay clear as temperatures drop to low 15°C.
There you have it. Will you be keeping an eye out for the northern lights?
Take some pics while you’re at it!
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