Astronomer talks about Valley's aurora borealis

MAHONING VALLEY, Ohio (WKBN) – If you're outside on Friday night, you might want to look up.

Jay Reynolds, a research astronomer at Cleveland State University, said there's a good chance you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the aurora in the Mahoning Valley, too, because of the intense solar storms that can cause colorful auroras. Reynolds says it's all thanks to giant sunspots flinging solar material toward Earth.

The last time the Space Weather Prediction Center issued such a storm warning was in 2005.

“So the eruption would have to be very powerful to push this much material that far south,” Reynolds said. “So, will we see the Northern Lights tonight? There's a good chance. Look north. Let's go somewhere with low trees, like a baseball field.”

Experts say it's usually best visible within an hour or two of midnight, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/will-we-see-northern-lights-in-the-valley/ Astronomer talks about Valley's aurora borealis