The Northern Lights Might Be Visible in the United States Tonight and Tomorrow

"The northern lights occur when charged particles from the sun impact the Earth and react with our magnetic field. Those particles can burst forth from the sun via various events, including coronal mass ejections (CMEs), or eruptions of plasma and magnetic fields that often occur alongside solar flares. Since November 9, five major X-class solar flares-the most powerful type of solar flare-erupted from the sun, including the largest one of the year at X5.1 intensity."

"When such emissions are inbound, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issues geomagnetic storm watches on a scale of G1 to G5. For these recent solar events, it has issued a G2 geomagnetic storm watch for Tuesday, November 11, a G4 watch for Wednesday, November 12, and a G3 watch for Thursday, November 13. Keep in mind that SWPC uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is hours ahead of US time zones."

"If you're hoping to see the northern lights this week, the best thing to do is go to the darkest place you can find with clear views to the north after sunset. The farther south you are, the lower the northern lights will be on the horizon. Additionally, a weak display might not be visible to the naked eye, but it might show up on a camera -hold up your phone to the night sky, and you might be surprised."

Charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's magnetic field to create the northern lights. Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) often accompany powerful X-class solar flares and can send plasma and magnetic fields toward Earth. Since November 9, five major X-class flares occurred, including an X5.1, and Earth is facing three associated CMEs. The Space Weather Prediction Center issued G2, G4, and G3 geomagnetic storm watches for November 11–13 UTC, with aurora expected to peak the nights of November 11–12 in the United States. Observation is best from dark locations facing north after sunset; weak displays may be visible on cameras.

Read at Conde Nast Traveler