Aurora Borealis Alert: Get Ready for a Sky Show!

Aurora borealis fans, listen up! This week could put on one of the best light shows in the sky thanks to some exciting space weather. On July 30 and 31, people in the U.S. might get a chance to catch the stunning Northern Lights as Earth is hit by solar storms.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center is predicting a G3-rated geomagnetic storm. That’s a fancy way of saying the lights could be pretty bright! While not everyone will see them, folks in northern states are in for a treat.

What causes the Northern Lights, you ask? They happen when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s magnetic field, lighting up the sky in beautiful green and red hues. The stronger the solar wind, the further south these light displays can be seen, meaning parts of New York and Idaho could glow on Tuesday evening.

The forecast also mentions that G2 conditions are likely before and after the G3 storm, giving us multiple chances to see something spectacular. However, don’t get your hopes up too high! Experts warn that predicting exactly when and how fierce the displays will be is tricky.

Sara Housseal, a space weather forecaster, suggests taking the timing predictions with a grain of salt because of the various solar events happening at once. So while it’s great to be excited, keep in mind that the exact moments can be hard to nail down.

If you’re in the Midwest, keep an eye on the sky on Tuesday night and early Wednesday. The best viewing spots will be away from city lights and with an open view to the north. If you really want to optimize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, consider heading to areas in Alaska or northern Canada, or even some parts of Scandinavia in the near future!