Northern Lights Extend Far South – Where Will They Be Seen?

People living in the northern parts of the United States are in for a real treat for the next few nights as the Northern Lights can be seen much further south than usual.

The Northern Lights, officially known as the Aurora Borealis, are the result of an interaction between the Earth’s protective magnetic fields, which emanate up from the north pole and south pole, and charged particles from the Sun.

A larger than usual solar flare has released a large amount of these particles toward the Earth. As a result, the Northern lights (Aurora Borealis) will be visible for people to see in the sky over parts of the northern Plains, the Great Lakes region and Northeast areas like New England.

Experts have said that the Aurora could extend to be seen as far south as Colorado, Illinois and Iowa. Major cities including Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Seattle and Des Moines, could have a chance to see the Northern Lights if the weather cooperates..

The exact time at which people will be able to see the Northern Lights (Aurora) is not certain. Unfortunately the dazzling light show in the night sky fluctuates and is hard to predict. The best chance to see the Northern Lights will be on Thursday and Friday night.

The blast of charges particles which are causing this unusual Aurora display left the Sun on Tuesday and are hitting the Earth now. That’s pretty fast when you consider the particles traveled 93 million miles in just a couple of days.