A powerful solar storm is heading towards Earth and could provide one of the most striking astronomical spectacles of the year. According to space weather experts, several coronal mass ejections emitted by the Sun will impact the Earth's magnetic field, significantly increasing the chances of observing the northern lights in areas where they do not normally appear.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a G3 geomagnetic storm alert, considered strong on the official scale. The phenomenon is related to several solar eruptions recorded in recent days, including a category X flare, one of the most intense that our star can produce.

In which states could the auroras be seen?

The best time to try to see the auroras will be during the night of Friday, June 5, after dark and away from light pollution. It could also be seen on Saturday in some places. NOAA maintains up-to-date tracking tools for forecast visibility overnight and into the early morning hours.

The best chances remain concentrated in the northern states, but forecasts indicate the lights could extend much further south if the storm intensifies.

Among the states with the highest probability are:

If geomagnetic activity reaches higher than expected levels, auroras could also be visible in parts of Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and even other areas of the Northeast and Midwest.

When will be the best time to look at the sky

Experts recommend observing the sky after dark and before moonrise, when it is darkest. The hours around midnight usually offer the best conditions.

NOAA warned that the exact intensity of the storm remains difficult to predict because several solar ejecta could interact with each other before reaching Earth.

How to increase your chances of seeing them

To better enjoy the phenomenon, you should:

Why does this phenomenon occur?

Auroras occur when charged particles ejected by the Sun collide with the Earth's magnetic field and gases in the atmosphere. That encounter releases energy in the form of colored lights that can be seen as green, red or violet curtains moving over the horizon.

Although this type of storm can also temporarily affect communications, satellite and GPS systems, for most people the most visible consequence will be the possibility of contemplating a spectacle that is normally reserved for the regions closest to the Arctic.

Where to follow information about the northern lights on the Internet

The best official sites to follow the solar storm and the possible appearance of the northern lights in real time are:

This news has been tken from authentic news syndicates and agencies and only the wordings has been changed keeping the menaing intact. We have not done personal research yet and do not guarantee the complete genuinity and request you to verify from other sources too.