The Northern Lights May Be Visible in the US This Weekend—Here's Where to Spot Them
If you missed the northern lights earlier this week, don't worry. Residents in some states might have the chance to see another northern lights show this weekend, thanks to a solar storm that could create auroras as far south as New York and Idaho.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center, a coronal mass ejection (CME), which occurs when the sun spews large amounts of plasma and magnetic field out into space, is stirring up geomagnetic activity that could result in a light show tonight and tomorrow.
The Center is predicting minor G1 geomagnetic storm conditions with the potential for isolated moderate G2 storms if the CME combines with high-speed solar wind. Geomagnetic storms occur when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere, resulting in auroral activity known as the northern lights.
During G1 conditions, auroras can be visible across the most northern states in the U.S., like Michigan and Maine, but if G2 conditions are reached, auroras could stretch as far south as New York, South Dakota, and Idaho.
The Center also forecasts that the Kp index will peak at 4.67 on June 7. The Kp Index is a numeric scale, ranging from 0 to 9, that describes geomagnetic activity. Per NOAA, if the Kp calculation is in the 3 to 5 range, the aurora will be brighter, and there will be more auroral activity.
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