2006-12-13 14:19:13 · 6 answers · asked by louieblueraspberry 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Yes, of course it is possible.
The time of year is irrelevant. What you need is the convergence of several factors, however. One is completely clear skies to your north, and the other is increased solar radiation, as occurs with increased solar flares, which, generally, are not easy to predict.
With the apparent shift in the poles, it will become less and less likely, over the coming decades, to see them from your lower latitude, but it will always be a possibility.
Is it possible that you have seen these dancing celestial ribbons of green and red, and you are wondering if that's what they were?
If you see such a grand spectacle, that delights your eyes, and humbles you, and you have no other explanation for it, then what you saw was the northern lights....
Namaste,
--Tom
2006-12-13 15:25:31 · answer #1 · answered by glassnegman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once saw the aurora borealis from a Southern California desert, so it is definitely possible to see it in Utah. I doesn't depend so much on the time of year but on the degree of solar activity. If there is a major solar flare reported, you may be able to see it. However, under normal conditions, seeing the aurora at continental US lattitudes is not possible.
2006-12-13 14:23:25 · answer #2 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would guess that southern utah is too far south to be able to see the aurora at any time of year. Your best chance to see it would be to go to alaska where it is more common. However, a large solar flare that erupted from the sun a few days ago is expected to hit earth on thursday 12/14 and generate northern lights as far south as the northern united states. utah would still likely be far out of range unfortunately...
2006-12-13 14:25:23 · answer #3 · answered by gtaravens14 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually, no. You can only see them at extreme latitudes. This is because the earth's magnetic field channels charged particles to the poles where the magnetic field is weakest. These particles slam into the upper atmosphere causing the aurora. However, every once in a while there is a solar storm so strong it overwhelms the earth's magnetic field and aurora can be seen at almost any latitude. This happened in the mid '70s.
2006-12-13 15:15:13 · answer #4 · answered by ZeedoT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if you can they will be nowhere near as spectacular as from the higher elevations of mountains or more northern latitudes, makes as good an excuse as any to visit Alaska, right?
2006-12-13 14:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope
2006-12-13 14:21:07 · answer #6 · answered by Robert C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋