Strong solar activity leading to more auroras
The northern lights have appeared farther south more frequently in recent years.
Multiple U.S. states may have a chance to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis.
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, and Wednesday, Sept. 9, seven states will have a low chance of seeing the lights, while Alaska will have a high chance, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. Alaska has the highest likelihood of seeing the spectacular phenomenon of all the U.S. states.
Like Alaska, most of Canada has a high likelihood of seeing the northern lights.
Auroras look like bright “ribbons” of light of different colors moving across the sky, according to NASA. Solar winds carry charged particles from magnetic storms caused by solar activity, like explosions from the sun called solar flares or bubbles of gas being ejected from the sun called coronal mass ejections.
When the charged particles enter the area of space surrounding Earth, known as the Earth’s magnetosphere, they penetrate Earth’s atmosphere and collide with oxygen and nitrogen particles, creating the phenomenon known as the northern lights.
Here’s what to know.
When will the northern lights be visible?
The phenomenon could be visible on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Wednesday, Sept. 9, according to NOAA.
See map of states where the northern lights may be visible
The following states may have a chance to see the Northern Lights, according to NOAA:
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Minnesota
- Montana
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Of the states listed, Northern Alaska has a high chance of seeing the northern lights, while the states on or near the U.S.-Canadian border will have a low chance, according to NOAA.
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.