In 2024, the chances of seeing the Northern Lights are great

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Conditions will be favorable for observing the northern lights in Canada in 2024.

Radio-Canada

Astronomy enthusiasts may be in for a treat over the next two years: there will be more opportunities to observe the Northern Lights.

This phenomenon, which occurs every eleven years, is explained by the increase in the activity of the Sun until it reaches what is called a solar maximum.

Meanwhile, the Sun experiences more solar flares and coronal mass ejections, a phenomenon that can carry particles toward Earth, increasing the chances of solar flares being ejected. observe the northern lights throughout Quebec, Canada and even the United States.

This means that the Sun's magnetic field is completely twisted and there are more explosions on its surface, Rémi Boucher, scientific coordinator of the International Sky Reserve, told CBC News star of Mont-Mégantic, located southwest of Lac-Mégantic, in the Estrie region, in Quebec.

The peak However, this activity is expected in 2025. The celestial spectacle is likely to be even more impressive towards the end of 2024.

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It will be a perfect moment, said Olivier Hernandez, astrophysicist and director of the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium in Montreal.

He said people in Canada will be best placed to see the Northern Lights during this time because the magnetic North Pole is located near the Yukon.

He recommends that astronomy enthusiasts move away from the light pollution of big cities to get a better view of this phenomenon.

Mr. Boucher notes that there are more and more aurora borealis perceptible in the sky of Mont Mégantic. It's always exciting, he said. It's different every time.

In January, the Mont-Mégantic national park offers astronomy evenings to admire the stars at go off the trails, but according to Mr. Boucher, hunting for the Northern Lights depends largely on the weather.

He says the ribbons Bright northern lights will probably be on the northern horizon and could last a few minutes or even a few hours. It's a waiting game, because there are a lot of unknowns.

It's probably best not to have a lot of expectations, says Mr. Boucher. If you're going to see the stars, the Northern Lights will be a bonus, I would say, because it's really a matter of luck.

With information from Rachel Watts