Northern lights may be visible in Michigan on Monday: Where, when to see aurora borealis

There’s a slight chance — still — to catch the northern lights Monday night in Michigan, with forecast models calling for the best visibility in the Upper Peninsula.

"If you are in the right place, these aurora can be quite pleasing to look at," the Space Weather Prediction Center said in its latest prognostication, adding that "it might be possible to see the aurora from the northern edge of the United States."

What’s more, you must be looking at the sky at the right time and with the right weather. The lights, caused by geomagnetic storms, can be obscured by man-made light pollution near cities and nature’s cloud cover, which would block the view.

According to the forecast, northern lights were expected to be visible this weekend in at least 11 states, including Michigan, which is home to three stargazing parks, designated as dark sky preserves, with a chance, still to see the lights on Monday.

The latest models suggested the best times to see the lights are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., and will be most visible in the Upper Peninsula in an area where it’s dark, such as Michigan’s dark sky parks, which are: Headlands International , in Mackinaw City; Keweenaw in Cooper Harbor, and Dr. T.K. Lawless in Jones.

More: Northern lights flash, flicker across Michigan skies overnight: See the photos

They are the only internationally designated preserves in the state.

Moreover, there are many tips online, including some from Pure Michigan — the state’s tourism and marketing campaign — on the best way to get a glimpse of the lights and even how to set up a camera to photograph them if they appear.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Northern lights may be visible in Michigan on Monday: Where, when to see aurora borealis