What to know about viewing the Northern Lights on Thursday
- The colorful, dancing lights are caused by solar storms
- The lights are expected to be visible in 17 states Thursday
- Avoid light pollution and stay out late to get the best view
Tourists photograph the Northern Lights at lake Thingvellir, Iceland on January 13, 2016. An island of ice and lava battered by the Arctic winds, Iceland's dramatic and pristine landscape is attracting a growing number of tourists, not all of whom are respectful of the fragile ecosystem. / AFP / Halldor KOLBEINS (Photo credit should read HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP via Getty Images) 
An aurora borealis, also known as Northern Lights, illuminates the night sky above the Yllas Fell in Kolari, Finnish Lapland, early on January 15, 2022. - Finland OUT (Photo by Irene Stachon / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUT (Photo by IRENE STACHON/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images) 
Northern Lights are pictured on March 9, 2018, in Utakleiv, northern Norway, Lofoten islands, within the Arctic Circle. / AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images) 
387304 01: UNDATED FILE PHOTO: Aurora Australis, the Southern Lights as seen from South Australia as with Aurora Borealis, are displayed during strong geomagnetic events. According to NASA March 29, 2001 the sun recently sent a powerful energy burst in the direction of Earth triggering dazzling aurora displays over nighttime skies on Friday and Saturday, NASA astronomers said. Directed toward Earth, such blasts can distort Earth's magnetic field, producing in extreme latitudes, colorful nocturnal sky displays known as auroras, or the Northern and Southern Lights. (Photo courtesy of NOAA/Newsmakers) 
A surfer stands by northern lights ( aurora borealis ) on the snow covered beach of Unstad, on Lofoten Island, Arctic Circle, on March 9, 2016. Surfers from all over the world comes to Lofoten island to surf in extrem conditions. Ocean temperature is 5-6 °C, air temperature around 0°C in spite of a weather very unstable. / AFP / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images) 
TOPSHOT - An aurora borealis, also known as Northern Lights, illuminates the night sky above the Kellostapuli Fell in Kolari, Finnish Lapland, early on January 15, 2022. - Finland OUT (Photo by Irene Stachon / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUT (Photo by IRENE STACHON/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images) 
The magnetic solar storm arranged a colourful show of aurora borealis in the night skies of Hyvinka in Southern Finland early morning, 31 October 2003. AFP PHOTO/LEHTIKUVA /PEKKA SAKKI / *** FINLAND OUT *** (Photo credit should read PEKKA SAKKI/AFP via Getty Images) 
Northern lights ( aurora borealis ) illuminate the sky over the snow covered beach of Flakstad, on Lofoten Islands, Arctic Circle, on March 14, 2016. - Surfers from all over the world come to Lofoten island to surf in extrem conditions. Ocean temperature is 5-6 °C, air temperature around 0°C in spite of a weather very unstable. (Photo by OLIVIER MORIN / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images) 
DUFFUS, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 20: The Aurora Borealis is seen above the ruins of Duffus Castle on February 20, 2021 in Duffus, Scotland. The Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights, occurs when solar winds drive charged particles from the sun which strike atoms and molecules in Earths atmosphere causing the light show. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) 
HOPEMAN, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 25: Aurora Borealis is seen above a row of beach huts on January 25, 2021 in Hopeman, Scotland. Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights, occurs when solar winds drive charged particles from the sun which strike atoms and molecules in Earths atmosphere causing the light show. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) 
People watch northern lights, aurora borealis, in central Stockholm, on February 27, 2023. (Photo by ALI LORESTANI / TT News Agency / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by ALI LORESTANI/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)
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(NewsNation) — A Thursday solar storm is expected to make the Northern Lights visible in 17 states that typically don’t get to see the colorful show.
For those who may get a chance to see the aurora borealis, which is typically only visible in Alaska, Scandinavia and Canada, here is what you need to know about the lights:
Where can you see the lights?
The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks has forecast auroral activity on Thursday in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Indiana, Maine and Maryland.
Light displays are expected to be visible overhead in Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Helena, Montana, and low on the horizon in Salem, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Annapolis, Maryland; and Indianapolis, according to the institute.
What to Expect
Viewing the lights may not be exactly as you think it will. While the lights are most commonly green, aurora borealis can also appear in other colors including pink, orange and blue.
While photographs of the aurora show vast, vivid displays, that will vary based on location. Those farther south can expect to see fainter colors that appear closer to the horizon.
Check the Forecasts
There are two forecasts to check on Thursday morning as you plan for the best view: Weather and solar.
If your area is expected to be overcast Thursday night, you may not get the view you’re hoping for. Local weather and news apps should give you the latest forecast information on Thursday so you can plan your next move.
It’s also important to check the solar storm forecast. As Thursday nears, scientists will be able to better predict exactly where the lights may be visible. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offers a short-term forecast of 30-90 minutes that can help find the best places to see the lights. Meanwhile, apps like SpaceWeatherLive and Solar Alert can help you know if your area will indeed get a show on Thursday.
The night of the lights
- Avoid light pollution: The closer you are to a major urban area, the more light pollution you’re likely to get. If you want to get the best possible view, try getting away to less populous areas where less light pollution means darker skies and a better chance of a good view.
- Stay up late: The colorful lights are usually best viewed around midnight, with a viewing window between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
- Look around: Although they’re called the Northern Lights, they may be seen in any direction, so don’t just look north.
How the Aurora Borealis Form
The Northern Lights are caused by geomagnetic storms on the sun that affect the Earth’s magnetic field. As electrons from the sun collide with the magnetic field, they stimulate atoms, which give off light. The color of the lights is determined by the type of molecule, with oxygen producing red and green light and nitrogen giving off purple and blue hues.
A geomagnetic index known as Kp ranks auroral activity on a scale from zero to nine, with zero being not very active and nine being bright and active. The Geophysical Institute has forecast Kp 6 for Thursday’s storm.
The Associated Press and Margot Mather contributed to this report.
