Northern Lights to Illuminate Multiple US States, Including South Dakota

A solar storm forecasted for Thursday is expected to bring the Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, to 17 American states, including parts of Indiana and Wisconsin. This rare occurrence is due to an 11-year solar cycle that is peaking in 2024, making the lights visible in places farther south. The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks has forecasted auroral activity in several states, including Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Indiana, Maine, and Maryland. Skygazers are advised to get away from city lights and the best viewing times are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.