The Northern Lights may be nature’s greatest spectacle: gorgeous, dancing swaths of bright color in the sky that move so quickly and dramatically they feel absolutely surreal. Tonight, folks across 10 U.S. states may actually be able to see them!
Why is tonight a good night to see the Northern Lights?
There’s a geomagnetic storm happening now, according to Space.com, with lots of solar eruptions and fast solar wind caused by several recent solar eruptions and streams of fast-moving solar wind. When these charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s magnetic field, they can create bright, colorful auroras that are visible much farther south than usual—making tonight an ideal time to catch the Northern Lights in these particular areas.
When was the last time the Northern Lights were visible?
Just a few months ago, back in June, 14 states were eligible to possibly see them and, before that, back in April, a whopping 17 states faced the exciting possibility.
So, which states will see the Northern Lights tonight?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the following 10 states may be able to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis:
Alaska
Montana
North Dakota
Minnesota
Maine
Washington
Idaho
South Dakota
Wisconsin
Michigan
What's the best way to see the Northern Lights?
NOAA recommends going somewhere dark, away from city lights, and looking north anytime between midnight and 2am. Most importantly: be patient.
“Auroras often come in waves and can appear faint at first,” reports the NOAA.
Good luck!