Top 5 things you need to know about the northern lights spectacle lighting up the sky tonight
- An unusually powerful solar storm is hitting Earth today, causing the northern lights to be visible as far south as Alabama and Northern California, a rare treat for millions who never see them.
- The peak viewing window is between 10 PM and 2 AM local time, but even smartphone cameras can capture the green and purple hues long before your eyes can see them clearly.
- To get the best view, escape city lights and find a dark area with a clear northern horizon; if you miss tonight, forecasters predict another strong burst tomorrow.
- Experts warn that these intense geomagnetic storms can disrupt GPS signals, power grids, and satellite operations, so brace for possible tech glitches in some regions.
- This once-in-a-decade event is not just beautiful but historic, as scientists track it as the most powerful solar flare activity since 2003, making it a must-watch moment.