Summary
A strong geomagnetic storm, caused by a burst of energy from the sun called a coronal mass ejection, is expected to make auroras visible in parts of the northern United States tonight. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released a map showing where the northern lights might be seen, including places like Michigan and Minnesota.
Key Facts
- A coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun is heading towards Earth.
- CMEs are large clouds of energetic particles from the sun that can disturb Earth's magnetic field.
- The CME could make auroras, also called northern lights, visible in parts of the northern U.S.
- NOAA has published a map indicating where the aurora may be visible.
- The map shows that most of Canada and some northern U.S. states, like Michigan and Minnesota, could see the aurora.
- Auroras are bright lights in the sky caused by particles from space hitting the Earth's atmosphere.
- The best time to see auroras is shortly after sunset or just before sunrise, in places away from light pollution.
