Top 5 Things You Need to Know About the Northern Lights Tonight
- A massive solar storm is hitting Earth tonight, making the northern lights visible as far south as Alabama and Northern California—a rare treat for most of the US.
- Best viewing is between 10 PM and 2 AM local time, so pick a spot away from city lights and look north to catch the ethereal green and purple displays.
- The celestial show is courtesy of a coronal mass ejection from the sun, which means the aurora could be stronger than usual, with potential for the 'STEVE' phenomenon—a thin purple ribbon of light.
- If you're using a smartphone, switch to night mode and mount it on a tripod to capture the colors, as cameras often capture more than the naked eye can see.
- Check NOAA's aurora dashboard or apps like My Aurora Forecast for real-time updates—conditions can change fast, so be ready to step outside at a moment's notice.