Northern lights may appear in 18 US states

The northern lights could be visible in 18 U.S. states on August 7 and 8, caused by a G2 geomagnetic storm.

The space forecasters predicted the minor (G1) to moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm levels with a chance of a strong (G3) storm.

The storm is a result of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun. The charged particles, created by an explosion in the outermost atmosphere of the sun, have been rushing towards Earth since Tuesday, August 5.

These particles interact with the magnetic field of our planet in a way that triggers aurora borealis, also known as northern lights.

According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the northern lights could be visible in Washington, New York, Michigan, New Hampshire, Alaska, Minnesota, Montana, Illinois, Nebraska, Oregon, Idaho, Vermont, Maine, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Wyoming.

Aurora requires a dark sky to be visible. The time between 9 p.m. and midnight will be the prime window. At this time, the auroras are expected to be more visible due to a “moderate” storm.

According to NOAA, the geomagnetic storm could cause “manageable effects to some technological infrastructure.”

To view the dazzling sky in colours, go out to an open place away from city lights and look toward the northern horizon of the sky.

The aurora forecasting applications and NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre provide real-time updates.

If the sky is clear and you are standing in the right place, such as on a lakeside or in a field, you will find colourful (green, purple and reddish) hues among the stars.

What causes the Northern Lights?

The interaction of the charged particles of the Sun with Earth’s magnetic field causes northern lights.