North America poised for light display of aurora borealis
NPR • • science
Key Points:
- The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, will be visible across the northern United States and much of Canada on Saturday and Sunday nights, with vibrant green, purple, and pink colors lighting up the sky.
- The best viewing times are just after sunset or just before sunrise, as the aurora is not visible during daylight hours.
- The phenomenon occurs when high-energy particles from space collide with Earth's atmosphere near the magnetic poles, creating dazzling light displays.
- A geomagnetic storm causing this aurora is expected to peak on Saturday night, offering the optimal chance for sightings according to NOAA.
- Auroras are most commonly seen in northern latitudes and typically occur in North America during March and November, though the exact reasons for this seasonality remain unclear.