The Northern Lights Could Be Visible From These 10 States Tonight

You might be in for a dazzling surprise in the night sky tonight. Per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, could be visible from certain states on Friday, April 10. Cosmic enthusiasts can view the nighttime display late tonight through early morning on Saturday, April 11. A forecast by space-weather experts at NOAA indicates that a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm will take place in our planet's magnetic field.

Northern lights are caused by solar wind, or charged particles from the Sun that collide with atoms in Earth's atmosphere. This interaction excites nitrogen and oxygen, and they release energy, which gives rise to the vibrant greens, purples, and reds you see in the sky.

You're more likely to see the auroras in Canada and the northernmost states of the US, including Alaska and the northern parts of Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin. Now, this is only if the geomagnetic storm remains in the G1 category. Should the storm upgrade to G2, residents in states further south, such as Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, and Wyoming, might be able to catch a glimpse of nature's light show.

As for the time frame one can view the northern lights, they can be observed after sunset and before sunrise, though the consensus is usually between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., as that's when geomagnetic storms are at peak activity. It's also best to drive 30 to 60 minutes outside of cities to avoid light pollution. Darker skies make for a better viewing experience. You can take pictures with your phone camera via Night Mode or Pro Mode, but if you have a professional camera on hand, you can use long exposure to really capture the beauty of this radiant spectacle.