How to Watch the Northern Lights from 22 States Tonight
A geomagnetic storm caused by a solar flare is expected to make the northern lights visible across 22 U.S. states. Experts recommend finding dark locations away from city lights to view the phenomenon.
Why it matters
Solar activity impacts space weather, which can affect satellite communications and provide rare astronomical viewing opportunities for the public.
18 Northern lights in Yellowknife.Credit: Getty Keep your eyes on the northern horizon tonight, because the auroras continue!
After a coronal mass ejection (CME) blasted off the Sun on Tuesday, Oct. 6 , following a long-lasting M1.4 solar flare, the Sun is still stirring up some drama.
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center expects its arrival to spark up G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm conditions overnight, with a chance that activity could strengthen to G2 (moderate) levels early Friday, Oct. 9.
This means part of the northern U.S. and Canada could get another round of northern lights, although the sky show is probably more camera-friendly than visible to the naked eye.
For reference, the aurora borealis (the northern lights) are a result of geomagnetic storms, which occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating brilliant waves of light in the sky.
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