2 weeks Ago By Reanna Smith
Millions of Americans might be in for a celestial treat tonight as the northern lights , also known as the aurora borealis , are expected to be visible across over a dozen states. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center(NOAA) has indicated that Wednesday night could showcase the rare light display. The northern lights occur when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth's atmosphere, resulting in waves of glowing colors dancing across the sky.
Dad makes friend dig own grave and kill himself after raping his daughter, six The major IRS tax benefit program for those making under $73,000 - see details NASA sheds light on the science behind the spectacle: "The Sun continuously produces an outflow of charged particles into the solar system known as the solar wind. "When the solar wind reaches Earth, it can interact with Earth's magnetic shield, often depositing and accumulating energy there. When this energy is finally released, much of it rains down on our atmosphere, causing auroras,” NASA added.
While even moderate solar winds can generate auroras, NOAA notes that the current active state of the sun increases the frequency of solar storms, making the northern lights more visible, especially since mid-2024. This has allowed the stunning display to be seen as far south as Florida , a phenomenon NASA attributes to the sun reaching its "solar maximum," the peak activity phase of its 11-year cycle. The question on everyone's mind: When will the northern lights be visible in the US?, reports the Mirror US .
Residents of Canada and the northern US are in for a treat as they may get to witness the aurora borealis on Wednesday night, according to the NOAA. While there was a chance to see the northern lights in the US on Tuesday, the spectacle is expected to reach its peak on Wednesday. DON'T MISS Northern Lights - How to see the 'very rare' phenomenon in the U.
S. this weekend Extreme G5 solar storm hits earth with possible impact on internet and power Planting season in chaos as weekend's solar storms crash GPS in farmers tractors The prime time to catch the northern lights typically falls between 10pm and 2am local time, with the most intense displays often happening an hour or two after midnight. While auroras can also make an appearance in the early evening or morning, they tend not to be as visually impressive during these times, as per the NOAA's explanation.
A total of 18 states could potentially see the northern lights on Wednesday, but only four states might have the opportunity on Thursday. For the best viewing experience, experts suggest moving away from city lights. However, it's worth noting that a bright moon could also hinder the visibility of the aurora.
Here's the full list of states that could witness the northern lights tonight Alaska Montana North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Maine Washington Idaho Oregon Vermont New Hampshire New York Pennsylvania South Dakota Iowa Illinois Nebraska.
