A severe geomagnetic storm is expected to bring a rare display of auroras, or northern lights, to clear skies over Iowa late Monday evening, January 19th through early Tuesday morning, January 20th.
The Space Weather Prediction Center reported that the Northern Lights could be visible as far south as Alabama, putting Iowa right in the potential viewing zone.
What is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
The most suitable time to see the northern lights will be between 22.00 Monday and Tuesday at 02.00, with maximum activity forecast around midnight. The greatest visibility is expected in Iowa, making it the primary location.
How do you see the northern lights?
Although the sky is expected to be clear, the temperature is extremely low, making it difficult to see the celestial event.
Air temperatures in northern Iowa will be in the single digits, with wind chills plunging as low as 10 to 30 degrees below zero.
For those who brave the cold, they can see the northern lights with the naked eye. For clearer views, smartphones can help.
What camera setting works best for Northern Lights photography?
To take the best aurora photos, use night mode and long exposure settings.
For professional cameras, use manual mode with a wide aperture (f/1.4-f/2.8), a high ISO (1600-3200), and a shutter speed of 5-20 seconds.
