The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says a G2, moderate, geomagnetic storm has the potential to cause the aurora borealis to become visible 'over some northern or upper parts of Midwest states from New York to Idaho.' This rare opportunity makes it essential for observers to seek out dark skies away from city lights, maximizing their viewing chances as the aurora could create spectacular displays in regions not commonly known for their visibility.
The lights are a result of this weekend's coronal mass ejection, an eruption of solar material that dumps particles from the sun into space. When those reach Earth's atmosphere, it creates a breathtaking array of blue, green, and purple in the sky. As this phenomenon can be unpredictable, those eager to witness its beauty should be ready to look out, especially given the rare flux of geomagnetic activity combined with the upcoming fall equinox.
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