Northern Lights set to thrill US skywatchers

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Northern Lights from orbit

Time-lapse images taken from International Space Station catch solar storm hitting Earth

Skywatchers in some northern parts of the U.S. are set to enjoy the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, this week.

Caused by a geomagnetic storm that is the result of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), or solar flare, the Northern Lights could be visible across a number of northerly states.

The Northern Lights occur when solar wind hits Earth’s magnetic field.

“When the charged particles from the sun strike atoms and molecules in Earth’s atmosphere, they excite those atoms, causing them to light up,” explains EarthSky.

“Geomagnetic Storm Watches are in effect from December 9th - 11th, 2020 due to anticipated CME effects,” said NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center in a statement. The solar flare occurred on Dec. 7, it added.

NORTHERN LIGHTS DELIGHT: US SKYWATCHERS SET FOR GLIMPSE OF AURORA BOREALIS

“NOAA forecasters expect the most intense disturbances to occur on Dec. 10th with peak storm levels near category G3,” said Spaceweather.com. “If that happens, auroras could be sighted in the USA in states as far south as, e.g., Illinois and Oregon.”

Aurora Borealis (northern lights) in southeast Alaska seen in late summer -file photo. (iStock)

Skywatchers across parts of the northern U.S. are gearing up to see the Northern Lights.

“Geomagnetic storm watches are in effect through December 11th! What does this mean? LOOK NORTH,” tweeted Jennifer McDermed, meteorologist at Fox 9 in Twin Cities. “Get away from city lights. Pray the clouds break. And look for the northern lights!”

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“Look up tonight!,” tweeted Max Tsaparis, meteorologist at WKOW 27 News in Wisconsin, on Wednesday. “A coronal ejection from the sun is heading towards earth tonight which may cause the #NorthernLights to be visible.”

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers