For a limited time this week, you won’t have to travel to Alaska or Iceland to see the Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights. Residents across a swath of the U.S. will have the chance to see the enchanting phenomenon tonight.
Here’s what you need to know.
What Are the Northern Lights?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the dramatic colors in the sky come from what’s called “space weather.”
Essentially, the sun produces a solar wind (a flow of particles) that interacts with Earth’s magnetic field. When the solar wind is strong enough, electrons from space collide with electrons in Earth’s atmosphere, producing bright lights. Most often, the lights appear as waves of green, but they can also be red, blue, pink, and purple.
Where & When to See the Northern Lights
NOAA reported that the states across the northern U.S. are most likely to see this enchanting phenomenon. The following states have the best chances: Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
For the best chances of aurora viewing, head out near midnight (between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., local time).
“Find a place where you can see to the north … Given the right vantage point, say for example on top of a hill in the northern hemisphere with an unobstructed view toward the north, a person can see aurora even when it is 1,000 km (600 miles) further north,” NOAA said.
Keep in mind that local weather, light pollution from city lights, and a full moon can impact how well you’re able to see the lights.
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