The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are potentially visible in 10 states in the U.S. tonight, according to scientists. The ethereal display of lights, which is caused by solar particles colliding with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, may extend as far south as Iowa and Illinois. Other states that may witness the spectacle include Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Montana, and Wisconsin.
The Northern Lights are typically visible in the polar regions, but a geomagnetic storm, which is a disturbance in the Earth’s magnetosphere, can push the lights further towards the equator. This storm is what is causing the Northern Lights to be potentially visible in these ten states tonight. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm watch for the event.
The SWPC uses the Kp index to measure the manifestation of the aurora. On a scale of 0-9, the higher the Kp index, the further south the Northern Lights can be seen. It is anticipated that the Kp index may reach 5 tonight, which equates to a G1 geomagnetic storm.
While it’s not guaranteed that the Northern Lights will be visible, factors such as clear skies, being far from city lights, and being in a high northern latitude can increase the chances of spotting the phenomenon. It’s worth noting that the best time to view the Northern Lights is usually around midnight local time.
Auroras occur when solar wind, a stream of charged particles flowing out from the Sun, interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these particles reach the Earth’s magnetic field, they can cause it to change shape and create a ‘ring’ of auroras around the poles. The different colors of the aurora are due to the type of gas in the atmosphere, with green being the most common color, caused by oxygen molecules located about 60 miles above Earth.
The SWPC provides regular updates on its website about the likelihood of aurora sightings, including maps that show the areas where the lights are most likely to be visible. The aurora forecast can change, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the SWPC’s updates if you’re hoping to catch sight of this spectacular natural display.
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