Northern Lights could light up the skies across several US states this weekend

UPDATED: Jan 25, 2025 22:26 IST

If you're lucky, this weekend might treat you to a spectacular show in the sky as the northern lights, or auroras, are expected to grace parts of the United States. The Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has forecast increased geomagnetic activity, with a planetary K-index of five on a nine-point scale for Friday and Saturday. This means conditions are ripe for auroral displays during those nights.

States with the best chances of spotting the aurora include Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and Montana.

To maximize your chances, wait until the sky gets dark and make your way to a spot far from bright city lights. Clear skies are key for a good view. And here’s a pro tip: even if the aurora isn’t visible to the naked eye, snapping a picture with your smartphone might reveal the colorful streaks of light.

NOAA suggests the best viewing times are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. The darker the environment, the better your experience. Avoid areas with light pollution or even the glow of a full moon for the clearest view.

Auroras appear as vivid ribbons of light dancing across the polar skies, and they owe their existence to magnetic storms triggered by solar activity, such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections (large bursts of gas from the Sun).

When charged particles from the Sun reach Earth’s magnetosphere, they create substorms. These fast-moving particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in our upper atmosphere, energizing them. As these energized atoms release the absorbed energy, they glow in different colors, creating the breathtaking displays we know as the northern lights.