According to a recent article, a solar storm is causing the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, to be visible across the United States [1].
The northern lights are a natural light display in the sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic Circle).
They are caused by the collision of charged particles from the sun with atoms in Earth’s atmosphere [2].
Normally, the Earth’s magnetosphere prevents most of the solar wind particles from reaching the atmosphere.
However, during a solar storm, the magnetosphere is weakened, allowing more solar wind particles to enter the atmosphere and collide with atoms, causing the aurora borealis [2].
The current solar storm is expected to make the northern lights visible as far south as Alabama [1].
This is a rare event, and skywatchers across the US are encouraged to try and catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis tonight. The best time to view them is between 10pm and 2am [1].
If you’re hoping to see the northern lights, it’s important to find a dark location with little light pollution. You’ll also need to be patient, as the aurora borealis can be faint and fleeting.
But if you’re lucky, you might just be able to witness this incredible natural phenomenon.