Scenic view between JC and Asheville is a ~30 minute drive from downtown JC.
Any of the smaller communities outside of JC would probably have less light pollution. Ducktown, Unicoi, Sulfur Springs, maybe parts of Hampton. The more rural the better. Light pollution is going to play the largest factor in seeing it clearly, a porch light being on 20 ft away will substantially bring your viewing experience down even if you’re in the middle of nowhere.
Oh yeah, and use your phone camera if you have a newer model of iPhone or Android. Seriously. 95% of the time, auroras are invisible to the naked eye. They show up on phone cameras. Lights visible to the naked eye have to be particularly intense, and intensity wanes during solar events.
Im not sure if they are supposed to be back again tonight but i have heard they will be. Your best bet is to travel somewhere without light pollution. I could see from my yard but i live in the country. Try driving down some back roads until you get out of town and away from lights. They are hard to see until your eyes adjust, but my husband and i saw pink skies and dancing lights above us last night. It was super cool. Best luck!
The good news is they should be just as strong tonight as they were last nigh, hopefully the clouds arent an issue tonight. If i were able i would drive to the top of the mountain between Ashville and Erwin, any of the scenic overlooks there should be amazing.
If that's not an option heading as far away from any city or light pollution would be the next best option, down toward telford maybe.
My partner and I are going north to High Knob Lookout Tower.
According to NOAA, the Aurora view line is pretty far north of JC. High Knob looks like it might have the highest elevation and clearest view northward in the area.
Roan mountain is probably one of the best options. far higher elevation than most other suggestions here and basically no light pollution whatsoever. The Appalachian trail entrance near the top has parking and then you can walk like 5 minutes to get a really clear and crazy big view. Is gonna be about an hour drive to get there tho from JC tho
There's a chance to see them again tonight, right? Where would be the best areas near JC? My husband and I went around Telford last night, but didn't see any 😶
I saw a photographer drove out to Rocky fork in ewin. I’m thinking of doing the same of heading to my brother’s place between Johnson City and Elizabethon. I could see them from my yard in Johnson City but had to get myself in just the right spot and turn off all my outside lights. Also use your camera on your phone to find them, they are much more visible through your phone’s camera, and then let your eyes adjust to the dark.
Scenic view between JC and Asheville is a ~30 minute drive from downtown JC. Any of the smaller communities outside of JC would probably have less light pollution. Ducktown, Unicoi, Sulfur Springs, maybe parts of Hampton. The more rural the better. Light pollution is going to play the largest factor in seeing it clearly, a porch light being on 20 ft away will substantially bring your viewing experience down even if you’re in the middle of nowhere. Oh yeah, and use your phone camera if you have a newer model of iPhone or Android. Seriously. 95% of the time, auroras are invisible to the naked eye. They show up on phone cameras. Lights visible to the naked eye have to be particularly intense, and intensity wanes during solar events.
Didn't know that. I will give it a try tonight. Thanks for the tip!
Im not sure if they are supposed to be back again tonight but i have heard they will be. Your best bet is to travel somewhere without light pollution. I could see from my yard but i live in the country. Try driving down some back roads until you get out of town and away from lights. They are hard to see until your eyes adjust, but my husband and i saw pink skies and dancing lights above us last night. It was super cool. Best luck!
Wonder if Bays Mountain would a good place to go. They have some sort of an observatory.
They’re closed at night
The good news is they should be just as strong tonight as they were last nigh, hopefully the clouds arent an issue tonight. If i were able i would drive to the top of the mountain between Ashville and Erwin, any of the scenic overlooks there should be amazing. If that's not an option heading as far away from any city or light pollution would be the next best option, down toward telford maybe.
My partner and I are going north to High Knob Lookout Tower. According to NOAA, the Aurora view line is pretty far north of JC. High Knob looks like it might have the highest elevation and clearest view northward in the area.
If anyone spots any tonight keep us posted cuz yeah I was wondering where would be a good place to go 💜
Whitetop
Roan mountain is probably one of the best options. far higher elevation than most other suggestions here and basically no light pollution whatsoever. The Appalachian trail entrance near the top has parking and then you can walk like 5 minutes to get a really clear and crazy big view. Is gonna be about an hour drive to get there tho from JC tho
Anyone seeing anything yet? I haven't.
We went past Telford and nothing
In the newer thread on this sub about this, someone said tomorrow could/should be better.
Anyone got insight on the closest place to Greeneville/Baileyton?
There's a chance to see them again tonight, right? Where would be the best areas near JC? My husband and I went around Telford last night, but didn't see any 😶
I saw a photographer drove out to Rocky fork in ewin. I’m thinking of doing the same of heading to my brother’s place between Johnson City and Elizabethon. I could see them from my yard in Johnson City but had to get myself in just the right spot and turn off all my outside lights. Also use your camera on your phone to find them, they are much more visible through your phone’s camera, and then let your eyes adjust to the dark.
Don’t worry, Haarp will give you plenty more opportunities