Auroras do not have to be overhead in order to be observed. They can be seen in hundreds of miles upon the northern horizon, under the right conditions and thus convert a winter night, when ordinary folk should be indoors, watching TV and reading newspapers, into a surprise of skywatching.
In late February, the sight-seeing narrative concerns not so much a special great storm, but rather the little, useful matter: in what position the predicted view-line will be, how black the sky will be after moonset, and whether the northern horizon will be clear enough to see the low-lying arcs and pulses. The states of the United States nearest to the general line of sight in the case of the occasional partial eruption of geomagnetic phenomena, as predicted by the forecasters, are given below and what makes each one of them when people come out of doors and find themselves really looking up.
1. Alaska
The most consistent U.S. option is still Alaska since, in most cases, much of the state is under or almost the auroral oval due to the conditions favoring it. Even when no frenss is on, the viewer can see structure, bands, curtains, and full, moving to and fro, since the lights are more apt to ascend higher above the horizon. The most helpful trick is not the pursuit of a good time, but of darkness: a clear sky with no light sources around, not with the local ones in view, is likely to count more than nearly anything.
2. Washington
In the north of Washington, the auroras arise very low and this applies towards the north making location selection very important. Unobstructed country or seashores on which trees and hills are not in the way also offer the viewer the best chance. The aurora viewline may be used to check the distance to which visibility may be expected: the faint glow may still be there, but not impressive, where the sky is hazy or bright.
3. Idaho
The opportunities of Idaho are concentrated in the extreme north, where the horizon is nearer to the forecast line on most approximate activity nights. Since the aurora may lie low the sight of the north is a make-or-buy point, valleys and ridges may conceal the spectacle. Some of the images that the eye might otherwise overlook can be made clear by smartphone cameras, longer exposures tend to bring the green and magenta colors to light in what appears to be a grey glow.
4. Montana
The northern stretch in Montana provides some of the unforgettable evenings in case the sky is clear and the horizon is free. The expansive, terracotta scenery of the state is an opportunity, though only in cases when the viewers do not see the local urban lamps. Even on those nights when action comes in cycles, watch over a patient is worth the observing: the sky can be smooth surf-like expanses, then in a moment sleek arcs of action start up.
5. North Dakota
North Dakota is in a good location to view the border states, with the auroras often remaining on the horizon but becoming bright within a few minutes in case of condition enhancement. A good method is to get the darkest time of the night, when the moon has fallen down to a distance, and then allow the sky time. The camera perspective in moderate conditions may already be the first indication that something is going on.
6. South Dakota
The aurora in South Dakota usually prefers the north most regions and the aurora remains low. The ideal position is sometimes nothing but the flattest position: a turn out or bare field with a clear northern horizon. Aurora may disappear in the background glow when individuals view them at a place with light pollution even of modest size.
7. Minnesota
Northern Minnesota is an impressive competitor since the latitude and dark-sky spots provide the opportunities to work even when the forecast is not extreme. Water and open shore can also be quite useful: the horizon can be enlarged and the barriers decreased by lake country. The greatest villain is usually the brightness in the sky, either the clouds reflecting the lights of the city, or a moon which fades a delicate detail before it sets.
8. Wisconsin
The southern boundary of Wisconsin is close to most of the possible visibility maps, thus the expectations should be equal to the geometry. Auroral phenomena can either be a low band or a brightening pale instead of overhead curtains. Remaining in a dark place waiting until it is late at night has a better chance of working, particularly when the moon has gone down and the contrast of the sky is better.
9. Michigan
The strength of Michigan is viewpoint: the northern beaches can offer open and extensive vistas of the horizon that a viewer can use to capture a low show. When the activity is small, the experience may be decidedly subliminal, more of a texture rather than a spectacle, but still photogenic. Phone position is important; it is usually the difference between a smear and an arc that can be identified.
10. Maine
Sometimes Northern Maine slides into the forecast corridor whenever geomagnetic activity slips upwards. Since the auroras of this region are often low set, the observation technique is the same as in the open Midwest; that is, of clear northern skies, a clear northern horizon, and at the time when the sky is blackest. During some late-winter nights, the high solar wind and seasonal geometry have a chance to enhance the chances of at least a silent glow.
It is an exercise in possibilities rather than guarantees. Controllable options are the most reliable improvements: driving when there is light pollution, checking the cloud cover, and allowing the sky time to change. A phone is normally adequate in the case of photography. Switching off flash, keeping camera steady, Night Mode or a Pro/RAW feature may make color and structure visible to the human eye that they would otherwise not notice, particularly when the display remains near to the horizon.
