Chalk this up as another one of those times that sky watcher experts say you can see something really rare but you, specifically, can’t because it’s cloudy. According to numerous reports, a solar flare earlier this week set up a situation that would allow us here in Schuylkill County to see the aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights.
But … you probably won’t be able to see this once-in-a-lifetime experience because it’s cloudy.
Is it just us that noticed it or does this seem to happen every time someone tells us you can see something really rare in the heavens but when you go to look, all you see is a thick blanket of clouds?
Northern Lights Visible in Pennsylvania? Clouds May Have Something to Say About That
Back on Thursday, a geomagnetic storm was touched off by a major solar flare, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Those conditions will make it possible for people who don’t normally get to see the Northern Lights to see this rare phenomenon.
But the one big problem with seeing them here in Schuylkill County is the clouds.
Check out this map from Accuweather.com showing the aurora borealis forecast for the US on Saturday night:
(Source: Accuweather)
Now, if you’re lucky enough to get a clear sky in some part of Schuylkill County Saturday night, you’ll want ideal conditions for viewing the green glow in the sky.
Most importantly, you’ll want to escape any sort of light pollution. So, if you want to see the Northern Lights, head to the more rural areas of the county, someplace where it gets really dark and you have a big unobstructed view of the sky.
If you do happen to see the Northern Lights over Schuylkill County tonight, let us know. Send photos of the aurora borealis to newscanary@gmail.com.
Leonardo DiCaprio meme from @prettycooltim on Twitter.
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