Northern Lights 🤩
The northern lights (aurora borealis) could appear much farther south than usual across parts of the United States this weekend.
According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, a fast-moving stream of solar wind originating from a large coronal hole on the Sun is expected to trigger geomagnetic storm conditions. If the forecast holds, auroras may become visible in northern states including Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine.
The best viewing window is predicted between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. EDT. The event is expected to produce a G1-level geomagnetic storm, classified as minor on NOAA’s scale. Even modest storms can occasionally push the aurora farther south than normal.
Auroras occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s magnetic field and interact with gases in the upper atmosphere, creating glowing displays of green, purple, and red light. This particular activity is being driven by a coronal hole, a region on the Sun where open magnetic field lines allow high-speed solar wind to stream into space.
Scientists emphasize that auroras remain highly unpredictable. Success depends on factors such as cloud cover, light pollution, and the strength of Earth’s magnetic response. Even if the lights are too faint for the naked eye, smartphone cameras often capture them surprisingly well.
For the best chance of seeing the display, experts recommend finding a dark location with a clear view of the northern horizon shortly after sunset.