This Saturday night, a big geomagnetic storm is expected to create beautiful northern lights in almost two dozen states across the U.S.! The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that if the weather is good, people from the Pacific Northwest all the way to the Northeast can see this stunning display known as the aurora borealis.
Where to See the Northern Lights?
If you live in these states, you’re likely to witness the magic of the northern lights:
1. Alaska
2. Washington
3. Oregon
4. Idaho
5. Montana
6. Wyoming
7. North Dakota
8. South Dakota
9. Nebraska
10. Minnesota
11. Iowa
12. Wisconsin
13. Michigan
14. Illinois
15. Indiana
16. Ohio
17. Pennsylvania
18. New York
19. Vermont
20. New Hampshire
21. Maine
22. Massachusetts
Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota are especially lucky, with a high chance of seeing the lights!
Best Time to Watch the Show
To see the northern lights at their best, wait until it’s dark outside. The perfect viewing time is between 10 PM and 2 AM local time. Make sure the sky is clear and that you are away from bright city lights to enjoy the show. The storm is expected to be intense, which is great for visibility!
Why Do the Northern Lights Happen?
The northern lights are created when charged particles from the sun hit Earth’s atmosphere. During solar storms, these particles travel toward Earth and get caught by its magnetic field. They move towards the poles and crash into gases in the atmosphere like nitrogen and oxygen. When these gases get excited, they shine and create the beautiful colors we see: pink and purple from nitrogen and green from oxygen. Enjoy the show!
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