The northern lights are set to make an appearance over parts of Canada and the United States tonight, according to forecasters. A coronal mass ejection from the sun over the weekend is expected to impact Earth’s magnetic field late Monday into early Tuesday, creating a vibrant display of the aurora borealis.
This celestial show may not match last year’s spectacular displays, but for many, it’s a prime chance to catch the lights since spring. “People in 18 U.S. states could see the green or red glow of the aurora in the sky Monday night,” says Lucia I Suarez Sang, associate managing editor at CBSNews.com.
Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s atmosphere. Typically seen near the poles, these light shows create dazzling visuals in the sky. The sun experiences an active phase every 11 years where its poles swap places, leading to increased solar activity. This current active period is expected through the end of this year.
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts that this geomagnetic storm will peak between 02:00 and 05:00 ET on Tuesday. The auroras might be visible across several locations including Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, South Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, New York, Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois.
For those hoping to catch a glimpse of this natural phenomenon, experts advise finding a quiet spot away from city lights. Local or national parks offer great vantage points. It’s also wise to check weather forecasts as clouds can obstruct your view entirely.
Last spring saw one of the strongest geomagnetic storms in two decades hit Earth with spectacular displays across the Northern Hemisphere. Similarly impressive were last autumn’s solar storms which produced dancing lights far beyond their usual reach near the Arctic Circle.
If you’re planning on staying up late for tonight’s event—best wishes for clear skies!
Read more from CBS.
