First of all, the International Space Station will fly over tonight. The ISS will be visible for seven minutes after it rises at 9:09. It will rise in the southwest and set in the northeast. It will appear as a large star moving across the sky. Pictured below is the current crew of the ISS.
Then, later on tonight, the northern lights may be visible as far south as Tennessee. This is the most intense solar storm since 2005. Please keep in mind that when astronomers forecast the northern lights, they always remind us that these displays can underperform or overperform, much like meteor showers.
The best time to view these lights is from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Make sure you have a very clear view of the northern horizon without any light pollution. Seeing the lights this far south is very difficult and you must have a very dark sky. Thankfully, it looks like sky conditions will cooperate nicely.
It is encouraging that the current extent of the aurora is already trying to reach into Kentucky!
The northern lights have been seen this far south before. In fact, just last year they were seen in Tennessee but the plateau was cloudy and we couldn’t see them. I’ve personally seen them this far south and it was actually during the last storm that was of this magnitude. They looked like a faint red glow on the northern horizon and the way slowly moved was kinda ghostly. It was very cool!
The sun is going through an especially active cycle these days. That has been going on for the past year and will continue for at least another year. This particular cycle is part of an 11-year solar cycle.
So, make plans to step out and look for the ISS at 9:09 and then perhaps take a look to the north after 10:00!
You might want to wear a jacket out tonight! Overnight lows will fall into the 40s.