Title: Northern Lights Set to Dazzle 17 States Tonight
The sky may paint itself in shades of green and purple tonight as the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, potentially grace the skies from Alaska to Illinois. This spectacular celestial light show is due to an incoming coronal mass ejection (CME) that is expected to collide with Earth tonight.
Auroras are breathtaking natural light shows predominantly seen in the high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic. They are caused by the interaction of charged particles from the Sun with the Earth’s magnetic field. Tonight, these stunning light displays may be visible in an expanded range of locations, thanks to a significant CME heading towards Earth.
A CME is a massive eruption of plasma, or superheated gas, from the Sun’s outermost layer, the corona. These solar eruptions can hurl billions of tons of solar material into space, which can then interact with Earth’s magnetosphere, causing increased auroral activity.
The incoming CME, predicted by astronomers, is set to strike Earth’s magnetic field tonight, leading to the potential of an aurora spectacle in the United States. The states that have a good chance of viewing this display include Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and possibly as far south as Oregon, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
For those fortunate enough to be in these regions, look towards the northern horizon after local sunset. The exact timing of when the aurora will be most visible can vary, but typically, the hours around midnight often offer the best viewing. The lights may start as a faint glow and then transform into moving curtains of color, typically green and sometimes red or purple.
Remember, while this forecast provides a good indication of where the aurora might be visible, local weather conditions and light pollution can significantly affect visibility. For the best viewing experience, find a dark, clear site away from city lights, and give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness.
While the Northern Lights are a common sight in places like Alaska and Canada, they are a rare spectacle for much of the continental U.S. This event offers a unique opportunity for many to witness one of nature’s most mesmerizing phenomena.
As we await this celestial spectacle, it serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our Sun and its profound influence on our planet. So, if you find yourself in one of the lucky 17 states (or potentially more), wrap up, step outside, and gaze upwards. You might just witness a light show you’ll never forget.
Read more from the original source here: [https://www.space.com/stargazing/auroras/northern-lights-may-be-visible-in-17-states-and-maybe-more-dec-8-9-2025](https://www.space.com/stargazing/auroras/northern-lights-may-be-visible-in-17-states-and-maybe-more-dec-8-9-2025).