The northern lights fill the sky with green ribbons of electrical charged particles over the barn … [+] and pastures at Greaney’s Turkey Farm in Mercer, Maine on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Michael Seamans/Getty Images)
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The Northern Lights—also known as the aurora borealis—may become visible in the early hours of Wednesday in northern U.S. states as the after-effects of a “halo CME” arrive at Earth.
The fabulous natural phenomenon results from the solar wind, charged particles from the sun accelerating down the magnetic field lines at the north and south poles into Earth’s atmosphere.
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‘Halo CME’
Experts modeling the solar wind sounded the alarm Monday after multiple separate coronal mass ejections left the sun on July 21, all aimed toward Earth, creating a rare “halo CME.” A CME is a cloud of magnetic fields and charged particles from the sun that stream into space at up to 1,900 miles (3,000 kilometers) per second. They can take a few days to reach Earth (if they’re Earth-directed).
A G2 Watch is in effect for July 24, 2024 due to the likely arrival of a halo CME that erupted on … [+] July 21, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
Exact Timings
According to an alert issued on Monday, July 22, by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, displays of Northern Lights could be seen over some northern and upper Midwest U.S. states from New York to Idaho between 06:00-09:00 Universal Time on July 24—that’s 01:00-04:00 EDT.
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The “halo CME” is expected to trigger a G2-class geomagnetic storm at that time. This refers to the severity of the storm, which also affects how far south it can be seen.
Generally speaking, G2 storms can be seen as far south as New York and Idaho; for G3, it’s Illinois and Oregon; and for G4, it’s Alabama and northern California.
Wednesday’s display is therefore not expected to be as strong—or reach as far south as—May 10’s extreme G5 geomagnetic storm, which caused displays of aurora across the world. Expect “photographic aurora,” which only a smartphone or manual camera can capture to show significant color.
An early prediction for the latitude of aurora displays in the early hours of July 24, 2024.
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NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
Thirty Minute Forecast
U.S. states that may get a glimpse of aurora may include Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Montana, Minnesota, the northernmost part of New York and Maine.
It’s wise to have a Dark Sky Place or somewhere away from light pollution in mind, but since forecasts can change quickly, check the latest advice from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center for exact timings—particularly its 30-minute forecast page. Frequent checking of apps like My Aurora Forecast & Alerts, AuroraWatchUK or the online Aurora – 30 Minute Forecast – Space Weather Prediction Center is also recommended.
Before you head out, check the weather forecast because clear skies are required to have any chance of seeing aurora.
Last week, researchers at Aberystwyth University presented new research suggesting that it’s now possible to predict the precise speed at which a CME travels and, therefore, accurately predict when a geomagnetic storm will begin.
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That’s important because very strong geomagnetic storms can mean strong currents that can potentially damage power transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, railways and submarine cables.
Pick up my books Stargazing in 2024, A Stargazing Program For Beginners, and When Is The Next Eclipse?
GARDEN CITY – A Boise-area girl is competing in the 2026 Junior Ranger Competition, and she needs your vote to advance.
Eleven-year-old Cali Lindsay of Garden City is currently in the top 10 in her age group. The first place contestant in each group will advance to the semi-finals, which will wrap on July 17.
The final round concludes on July 24. The winner will be awarded $20,000 and be featured on the cover of Ranger Rick Magazine. They’ll also win a trip with Jeff Corwin.
Cali’s mom, Emily Edginton, tells EastIdahoNews.com how the competition works.
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“You’re allowed one free vote every 24 hours. People can also pay (to vote),” Edginton says. “The contestants have challenges every week to learn about animals and share what they’ve learned. People vote for the answer they like best. If you have enough votes, you move to the next round.”
Cali needs to secure enough votes by Thursday in order to advance to the next round.
The competition is a fundraiser for the National Wildlife Federation, the largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization in the United States.
Edginton says they recently moved to Idaho from San Bernardino, California. Her daughter acquired a love of wildlife living in Lytle Creek, a community near the San Gabriel Mountains and San Bernardino National Forest.
“She’s already like a junior ranger. We picked up trash (in the forest) for fun,” Edginton says. “We try to keep it clean because we get a lot of visitors up there in the summertime and they trash the place. It affects the animals.”
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Edginton says they moved to Idaho in February to be closer to family.
She’s grateful her daughter can be part of what she feels is a great cause, and hopes to see her advance, and even win the tournament.
“It’s a good cause, plus it’s a learning experience,” says Edginton.
To vote for Cali or learn more, click here.
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JACKSON, Wyo. — Springtime conjures images of adorable baby animals. Unfortunately, sometimes well-meaning humans feel compelled to interfere with Mother Nature by “rescuing” baby animals who appear to be alone.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) issued a spring reminder discouraging people from intervening when they assume a wild animal is lost, abandoned or orphaned.
“While these folks typically mean well, the sad reality is they are often doing more damage than good when they intervene — and typically, mom was not far away to begin with,” IDFG shared in a press release.
“Here’s the hard truth,” the agency wrote. “Animal parents will periodically leave their young for an extended period of time for a myriad of reasons, whether it’s to search for food, to rest or to divert attention from their vulnerable offspring, especially if they sense danger. When it comes to wildlife babies, wildlife mothers know best.”
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In short, in an encounter with a lone duckling, gosling, deer fawn, baby bird, red dog or moose calf, do not disturb it. Instead, contact the state’s wildlife agency to report it. In Jackson, call the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at (307) 733-2321. In Idaho, reach IDFG at (208) 525-7290.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
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