Why I am seeing the aurora borealis predominately in the eastern sky tonight?

Where in Michigan? I’m in Ann Arbor and all I see is clouds, more’s the pity.

I saw them once, years ago, from Ypsilanti. Just remember, our East is still North of someone else. They are not common in Michigan, but North and East are the directions I would look, due to the way the Earth turns.

@laureth I am north of you in the middle of the mitten. I live in a rural area so I’m away from most light pollution.
I have seen them wrap around from the north to the east, but tonight it seems to be the other way around. They are streaking upwards, and also moving like an escalator up to the north.
Green, silver and gold, they are quite beautiful.

I am jealous, I live in a crappy part of Michigan.

Is there a good part?

@laureth absolutely there is. Up North!
Ishpeming, Negaunee, Marquette, Houghton, Copper Harbor etc.
to vacation anyway, I don’t know about living up there…

@patg7590 Don’t forget the Porkies. I’m jealous too!

It’s pretty good where I am.

Now the the northern lights are also visible in the west. It’s pretty cool.

@patg7590 funny you say that, Ive been up in that area dozens of times throughout my childhood and even recently and never seen, heard of, or been to the Porcupine Mountains. In fact, I hadn’t even heard of them until my wife’s little brother told me about going there on a camping trip.
guess i’ll have to go next time!

I’m also jealous… seeing the Northern Lights is on my list. Did you get any photos?

@hearkat , no I didn’t take any pictures. I’m not sure how well I would do with that.
To get a better look without all the trees, I did walk down the street to the edge of town and stood out in a bean field.
Until I got too cold.
As for your list; I suppose that you could watch for Solar activity, and then head out of town north?
Not very practical I suppose.

@wilma: I live in Central NJ – halfway between New York City and Philadelphia… There are no views of the aurora borealis around here.

@hearkat , I’m sorry you can’t see them, too much light pollution, and maybe too far south I suppose.
Perhaps sometime if you are able to vacation, in the rural north country you will have an opportunity.
I hope so!

i dont think i have ever seen it before or if i have i wouldnt have known it. ;)