Northwest Iowa — Social media pages are lit up by photos Iowans took of the Northern Lights last (Thursday) night and stargazers are hoping for a repeat tonight. There are few certain things in life, and catching the aurora borealis over Iowa is definitely -not- one of them. University of Iowa Physics & Astronomy Professor Allison Jaynes watched the dancing bands of green and red over a cornfield near Iowa City last night and says it’s a roll of the dice whether we’ll see the rare treat again after the sun sets in a few hours.
Seeing the spectacle in the sky is often a simple matter of being in the right place at the right time.
If you’re going to drive an hour to get out of town on the hopes of trying to see the light show, it’s hard to know exactly when to launch the adventure. Jaynes says you would be wise to use the internet before hopping in the car with a blanket and binoculars.
While the photos are often colorful and mesmerizing, keep in mind, those were likely obtained by someone using a long exposure and a tripod. Catching the real thing can be a thrill — or it can be a little disappointing — depending on your expectations.
While Iowa is considered a rural, agricultural state, it’s full of light — and light pollution — at night, especially when you look at something like the Dark Sky Map. Still, Jaynes says she’s encouraged how the recent aurora appearances have captured the attention of so many people, who venture forth and gaze into the heavens.
National Weather Service Photo
