The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are most likely to be seen vividly during periods of high solar activity, which typically occurs every 11 years. In regions within the auroral oval, such as Scandinavia and Canada, they can be seen up to 200 nights a year. However, visibility also depends on factors like weather, light pollution, and darkness of the night sky.
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The Northern Lights are caused by interactions between solar particles and the Earth's magnetic field. Near the equator, the magnetic field is weaker, making it less likely for these solar particles to produce visible auroras. Therefore, areas closer to the poles, where the magnetic field is stronger, are more likely to see the Northern Lights.
It is rare but possible to see the northern lights from Washington State, particularly in the northern regions such as the San Juan Islands or the Olympic Peninsula. However, the lights are usually more easily visible in locations closer to the Arctic Circle.
It is very rare to see the northern lights from New Jersey due to its southern location. Northern lights are more commonly visible in regions closer to the North and South Poles where geomagnetic activity is stronger.
Mysterious moving lights in the sky are often referred to as unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or sometimes as unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). These terms are used to describe objects in the sky that cannot be easily identified or explained.
The Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, are not as well-known as the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, because there are fewer people living in the southern hemisphere to witness and talk about them. Additionally, the Southern Lights are often visible from remote locations such as Antarctica, making them less accessible for the general public to witness and share their experiences.