Viewing the northern lights is one of the most delectable and unforgettable experiences you can have in your entire life. We are lucky to live on a planet that works together with the sun to produce such a spectacular natural occurrence.
But what if you don’t live up north?
Every once in a while, a solar storm is strong enough that you can view the northern lights even in a southern state like Florida.
If you’re fortunate enough, you’ll be able to view the northern lights from your tropical paradise!
Can you see the northern lights in Florida?
The northern lights can be seen in Florida on rare occasions. Because Florida is far away from the north and south poles, it takes very specific conditions to see the northern lights in the Sunshine State.
The sun is always creating solar wind by ejecting charged particles from its corona. When the solar wind penetrates the earth’s magnetic field and hits the upper atmosphere, the northern lights are brought to life.
In order to see the northern lights in Florida, the solar wind must be incredibly strong and the lights must be viewed from a place with little to no light pollution.
Have the northern lights ever been visible in Florida?
Florida’s most drastic display of northern lights in modern times was reported in Jacksonville on March 13, 1989. The lights were visible for about 1 ½ hours around 8pm.
Mike Reynolds, a past planetarium director at the Museum of Science and History, photographed the red lights and said “It was very very rare.”
Roughly 50 years prior, on September 18, 1941, the northern lights were seen in the same city between 7:50 pm and 11:15 pm.
How often do the northern lights appear in Florida?
According to Rodney Viereck, an employee at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the sun has an 11-year cycle. This includes 3-4 years of solar maximum, a time when the most particles are shot out from the sun. The next solar maximum is expected in 2025.
Following the prior trend of the northern lights being seen 50 years apart in Florida, we can estimate that the next viewing will be around 2030. However, that is only based on two points of data and would require extremely specific conditions.
What kind of conditions make it possible to see the northern lights in Florida?
In order to see the northern lights in Florida, there needs to be an incredibly strong solar wind that can break through the thick magnetic field above the state.
There also needs to be minimal light pollution to avoid obstruction of the view.
Why aren’t the northern lights as visible in Florida as other places like Alaska?
Northern lights are seen the most strongly around the earth’s poles. This is due to how the earth’s magnetic field works.
Most of the particles sent to Earth via solar wind are deflected by the earth’s magnetic field. But because of how the earth’s magnetic field is shaped, areas closer to the poles are more susceptible to letting through the sun’s charged particles.
When there is a really strong solar storm, the particles are capable of getting through the magnetic field closer to the equator. However, strong solar storms happen infrequently, thus why it is more common to see the northern lights closer to the poles.
What is the KP-index and how does that relate to seeing the northern lights in Florida?
The KP-index is a number between 0 and 9 that measures the geometric activity for a 3-hour period.
Because Florida has a stronger magnetic field since it is closer to the equator, a higher KP-index is required to see the northern lights.
But even in northern states like Oregon and Washington, the higher the KP-index, the more likely you are to see northern lights.
The 8 Best Places To See The Northern Lights In Florida
1. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
This preserve protects the largest remaining tract of Florida dry prairie- meaning wide open skies perfect for viewing the northern lights!
It is most famously known for its lack of light pollution and campers can see the Milky Way without binoculars or telescopes.
Between its lack of light pollution and expansive sky, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve creates the perfect conditions for northern light spotting.
2. Chiefland Astronomy Village
The Chiefland Astronomy Village can be joined by any astronomy enthusiast.
Perks include permanent observatories on site, electric and water hookups for RV’s, imaging workshops, and a great opportunity to learn from other astronomers.
Joining the Chiefland Astronomy Village will give you some new astronomy skills and help guide your search for the northern lights.
In addition, staff from the preserve work with local astronomy groups to create educational opportunities such as their Night Sky Programs.
This national preserve’s extreme lack of light pollution creates an ideal canvas to view the northern lights.
4. Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park
Located southeast of Orlando, you won’t be bored at the Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park.
Its recreational activities include trails for hiking, horseback riding, and biking, wildlife viewing, camping, and geocaching.
You’ll be surrounded by luscious flora and fauna while camping out to stargaze at this incredible preserve and park.
5. Osceola National Forest
This 200,000 acre forest is located about 50 miles west of Jacksonville, where the last two northern light sightings in Florida took place. That’s a good sign!
There are 67 campsites available for motor homes, trailers, or tents at this forest’s Ocean Pond Campground. The campground has many activities to keep you busy such as water skiing, boating, and fishing.
Located in northern Florida, the magnetic field is a bit weaker than it is in southern Florida which provides a better chance of spotting the northern lights. And where better to see the colorful spectacle than in a National Forest?
6. Scottsmoor Landing
Scottsmoor Landing provides a clear view over the Indian River lagoon and the incredibly dark Canaveral National Seashore park.
For all the astronomy nerds out there, it is a great location to witness a launch from the Kennedy Space Center.
7. Hagens Cove Park
Located in northern Florida, this park provides sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico and the pine islands.
You can even climb up an observation tower to get the full effect of this panoramic recreation area.
Its northern location and expansive skies give you a good chance of catching a glimpse of the northern lights under the right conditions.
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