"Northern Lights Spectacle: Solar Storm to Illuminate Skies Across Multiple US States"

A solar storm expected on Thursday will give skygazers in 17 American states, including Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and New York, a chance to witness the Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis. The lights, usually seen in Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia, have been visible in more southern locations due to an 11-year solar cycle that is expected to peak in 2024. The best viewing times are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, away from city lights. The lights occur when a magnetic solar wind interacts with the Earth's magnetic field, causing atoms in the upper atmosphere to glow.