">It's easy to think of the northern lights as a phenomenon that can only be seen in the far northern portions of Alaska, or somewhere far away like Norway or Finland. However, they are often visible even within the continental United States, too. This year, there's going to be an increased chance that you'll be able to see the northern lights in Connecticut. Despite our high population density and our large cities, we do have some wonderful areas for stargazing in Connecticut, especially in our more rural areas. This year, you might find that gazing up at the night sky is more special than ever because you just might catch the northern lights in 2024 in Connecticut.
The northern lights are considered the holy grail for those who love stargazing.
The phenomenon is also known as the aurora borealis.
The lights occur when energized particles from the sun fly into Earth's atmosphere, and are then deflected by the Earth's magnetic field.
This causes the lights to wave about and appear to be dancing.
Green, blue, purple, yellow, and even pink lights are possible to spot during this nighttime show. The colors due to all the different elements within the Earth's atmosphere.
This year, there's expected to be an increase in geomagnetic storms and solar energy, because the sun will be at "solar maximum," the peak of its solar cycle.
That means there will likely be more auroras than normal, and the area from which you can see them will likely move farther south, meaning there's a good chance we could see northern lights in Connecticut.
Your best bet for spotting the northern lights in Connecticut is to keep your eyes on the sky around the times of the equinoxes, which occur in March and October.
You'll want to make sure you're as far as possible from big cities and the light pollution that comes along with them.
This is one of nature's most beautiful phenomena, and it's something you should try to catch if you're able!
One of the best observatories in Connecticut is the Westport Observatory, the highest point in Westport. You can also check out Yale University's Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium in New Haven.
The northern lights are bright enough that you don't need a telescope or binoculars to spot the Northern Lights in 2024 in Connecticut, but if you're a big fan of stargazing, it may be worth keeping some on hand, anyway.
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