Heads up aurora chasers! The sun has been very busy.

After unleashing an X1.1 solar flare on June 30, the sun continued its outburst by firing off 10 M-class solar flares in 24 hours! Several of these eruptions were accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that appear to be at least partially Earth-directed.

Exactly how many of these solar storms will reach Earth (and how effective they will be) is still being calculated, but space weather forecasters say the coming days could bring heightened geomagnetic activity and increased chances of seeing the northern lights.

Solar physicist Tamitha Skov described the recent activity as a "Machine-gun sun" in a recent post on X, writing that more than five solar storms are on their way to Earth, with at least three offering "good chances" for aurora displays.

"NOAA and NASA model predictions do not show all the storms yet," Skov wrote, explaining that the rapid succession of eruptions has made them difficult to model. Skov added that the first storm could arrive before 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT) on July 3, with G2 or stronger geomagnetic storm conditions possible if the incoming CMEs carry a favorable magnetic orientation, allowing them to connect more efficiently with Earth's magnetic field.

According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, at least one CME from July 1 appears to have an Earth-directed component, although further analysis is still underway. The agency continues to forecast moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm conditions beginning tonight, driven primarily by the CME launched during the June 30 X-class flare, while noting that additional CMEs from the barrage of July 1 eruptions are still being analyzed.

Will the northern lights be visible?

The forecasts are looking increasingly promising for aurora chasers.

NOAA's latest forecast calls for moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm conditions around 8-11 p.m. EDT tonight (0000-0300 GMT July 3), with minor (G1) storm conditions for much of July 3. That could push the northern lights farther south than usual, potentially making them visible across parts of the northern U.S., including New York and Idaho, provided skies are dark and clear.

Exactly how impressive any display becomes will depend on how the incoming CMEs interact with one another and, crucially, the orientation of their magnetic fields when they arrive. When a magnetic field within a solar storm aligns the right way, it can more effectively transfer energy into Earth's magnetic field, producing stronger geomagnetic storms and brighter auroras.

However, nights remain short for observers in the northern hemisphere and lingering twilight could make auroras harder to spot.

That being said, it's worth making sure your cameras are charged and your aurora alerts are switched on. With multiple CMEs heading our way, there could be some natural fireworks lighting up the skies this July 4 weekend.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

If you've ever seen auroras in the night sky, then you are one of the lucky few who has enjoyed a view of one of nature's most colorful and spectacular phenomena. But for the very lucky, very few who've seen auroras from space, the view is on a whole other level!

What is it?

When charged particles streaming constantly from the sun, also known as the solar wind, reach Earth and interact with our atmosphere, it creates what we call auroras. Seeing these spectacular, colorful displays in the sky is on many people's bucket list, as auroras can light up the sky in a rainbow of colors. But this beautiful phenomenon happening in our atmosphere can also be seen from space.

European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, who is currently aboard the International Space Station as part of the εpsilon mission, spotted the aurora australis, or auroras over the Southern Hemisphere. (Lights in the Northern Hemisphere are known as the aurora borealis.)

And the image she captured of the moment really speaks for itself. Neon green swirls look truly otherworldly against a haze of bright purple blanketing Earth, which also seems enveloped in a ruby red glow. The reddish glow of the auroras can even be seen against the outside of the space station in this photograph.

Why is it incredible?

While her photograph speaks for itself, Adenot actually shared her own thoughts on the view via social media. One incredible thing about human spaceflight in the modern world is that, even from an orbiting laboratory, astronauts can share their experiences with the world in real time.

"Day 127, orbit 1968 — That aurora was absolutely spectacular… shimmering and dancing beneath us, stretching as far as the eye could see, and so intense it lit up the Station in shades of green," Adenot said. "We’ve seen several since the beginning of the mission, but this one was on a completely different level — far too bright for my usual aurora camera settings. Moments like these never get old up here; the whole crew suddenly find themselves vying for a good spot at a window!"

An incoming coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to slam into Earth's magnetic field today (June 8), potentially triggering geomagnetic storm conditions strong enough to supercharge auroras into mid-latitudes.

The CME erupted from the sun on June 6 and is forecast to arrive early to midday GMT on June 8. Space weather forecasters from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.K. Met Office suggest the impact could spark minor to moderate (G1 to G2) geomagnetic storm conditions initially, possibly ramping up to strong (G3) levels later in the day.

As such, NOAA has issued a G3 geomagnetic storm watch for June 8 and a G2 watch for June 9 as forecasters monitor the solar storm's approach. This is great news for aurora chasers.

When can I see the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights could become active at various times throughout June 8 as the incoming CME arrives.

The strongest storm conditions are currently expected between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. EDT (1500-1800 GMT), when a strong (G3) geomagnetic storm is possible. While a daytime peak is far from ideal for North American aurora chasers, it doesn't necessarily rule out a nighttime display. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts geomagnetic activity to remain elevated through the evening, with G2 conditions possible between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. EDT (2100-0000 GMT), before gradually easing overnight.

It's also worth remembering that CME arrival times can shift by several hours. If the solar storm arrives later in the forecast, the strongest geomagnetic activity could occur closer to — or even after — sunset for parts of North America, drastically improving viewing opportunities.

Will the northern lights be visible from where I live?

If the incoming CME triggers a strong (G3) geomagnetic storm, the northern lights could become visible much farther south than usual.

According to NOAA's geomagnetic storm scale, auroras may be visible as far south as:

• G1 (minor): Northern Michigan and Maine
• G2 (moderate): New York and Idaho
• G3 (strong): Illinois and Oregon

But remember, even during strong geomagnetic storms, aurora visibility is never guaranteed. Cloud cover, local light pollution and the orientation of the CME's magnetic field when it reaches Earth can all influence aurora visibility.

For the best chance of seeing the northern lights, head to a dark location with a clear view of the northern horizon and allow your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. If the aurora is faint, a smartphone camera can often reveal colors and structures that are difficult to see with the naked eye, during weaker displays.

For real-time forecasts based on your location, consider using a space weather app. A great option is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts" (available for iOS and Android). For a deeper dive into space weather conditions, "Space Weather Live" is another excellent choice (available for iOS and Android)

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a strong G3 geomagnetic storm warning for June 4 through to June 5, as multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) barrel toward Earth. Forecasters say some of the incoming eruptions may merge before arrival in a phenomenon known as a "cannibal CME," which could further intensify the storm's impact on Earth.

This is great news for aurora chasers, as during G3 geomagnetic storm conditions auroras can become visible in mid-latitudes as far south as Illinois and Oregon, according to NOAA.

The incoming storms were launched by a series of powerful eruptions from the active sunspot region 4455, which fired off an M9.3 flare, an M7.7 and an X1-class flare all within 24 hours of each other. NOAA forecasters anticipate the resulting CMEs to arrive at Earth from mid-to-late June 4 through June 5.

When will the northern lights be visible?

The best time to look for the northern lights will be after dark on June 4 into the early hours of June 5.

According to NOAA forecasters, the strongest geomagnetic activity is expected during the evening and overnight hours, with G3 (strong) conditions possible between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. EDT (1800-2100 GMT) and again between 8 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. EDT (0000-0300 GMT June 5).

Moderate G2 storm conditions are expected outside these peak periods.

However, space weather forecasts remain uncertain. Scientists are tracking the arrival of multiple CMEs that are expected to reach Earth in quick succession and some may merge before arrival in what is known as a "cannibal CME." Because of this complex setup, the timing and intensity of the storm could shift by several hours in either direction.

For real-time forecasts based on your location, consider using a space weather app. A great option is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts" (available for iOS and Android). For a deeper dive into space weather conditions, "Space Weather Live" is another excellent choice (available for iOS and Android)

Wow, the sun is certainly putting on quite a show this week.

Our star just unleashed three powerful solar flares in less than 24 hours and potentially sending multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurtling toward Earth, raising the chances of northern lights displays this week.

Read the latest: Aurora alert! 4 Earth-bound CMEs could spark northern lights as far south as Illinois and Oregon tonight

The culprit behind all three eruptions from the sun is Earth-facing sunspot region 4455. The unstable region produced an M9.3 solar flare that peaked at 9:36 p.m. EDT June 2 (0136 a.m. GMT on June 3), followed by an M7.9 flare at 3:00 a.m. EDT (0700 GMT) and an X1 at 7:28 a.m. EDT (1128 GMT) — the most powerful category of solar flare.

The trio of eruptions triggered radio blackouts across Earth. The M9.3 flare triggered a moderate R2 radio blackout across parts of East Asia and Australia, while the M7.9 eruption caused another R2 blackout affecting portions of Europe and Africa. The strongest blackout came with the X1 flare, which generated an R3 radio blackout across parts of Europe and Asia.

"Region 4455 strikes again!" space weather physicist Tamitha Skov wrote in a post on X following the M9.3 eruption. "Region 4455 continues to grow in complexity, so X-flare risk will remain elevated over the next 72 hours at least."

Skov's warning didn't take long to materialize. Less than 10 hours later, the restless sunspot crossed the threshold into X-class territory.

With multiple eruptions now under analysis, the chances of geomagnetic storm activity later this week are on the rise.

Aurora chaser Vincent Ledvina reported that "three potentially Earth-directed CMEs are currently on the way," though space weather forecasters are still working to determine the exact trajectories and speeds of the solar storms.

The U.K. Met Office has confirmed the M9.3 flare was accompanied by a faint but fast Earth-directed CME, which is expected to arrive at Earth on June 4. The agency is also analyzing a second potential Earth-directed CME associated with the M7.9 flare, while the trajectory of any eruption linked ot the X1 flare remains under investigation.

With at least one solar storm heading our way, the Met Office has issued a strong (G3) geomagnetic storm watch for June 4-6. Forecasters say geomagnetic activity could reach G1-G3 storm levels, with a slight chance of isolated severe (G4) conditions if the incoming CMEs deliver a stronger-than-expected impact.

This is potentially good news for skywatchers. Geomagnetic storms can supercharge Earth's auroras, pushing them farther into mid-latitudes than usual. If the forecast holds, northern lights could become visible at lower latitudes beginning on Thursday evening.

As scientists continue analyzing the evolving CME situation, all eyes remain on region 4455, which still has the potential to unleash further strong solar flares in the coming days. Watch this space!

A rare crimson aurora glowing over northern Japan may be a sign that some solar storms are more powerful than scientists once believed.

Researchers studying faint red auroras observed above Japan in June 2024 found that the displays stretched far higher into Earth's atmosphere than expected, reaching altitudes between roughly 310 and 500 miles (500 to 800 kilometers) — which is unusually high for a storm that was not considered especially severe by conventional geomagnetic indices, according to a statement from Hokkaido University.

The discovery suggests that even "moderately intense" geomagnetic storms — which are a disturbance in Earth's magnetic field caused by charged particles and magnetic energy from the sun — may carry far more energy than previously thought, challenging scientists' understanding of how these space weather events develop and how their strength is measured.

"I was really surprised because I didn't expect such tall auroras to appear even during moderately intense storms," Tomohiro M. Nakayama, lead author of the study, said in the statement. "This suggests that these storms may actually be stronger than conventional indices indicate."

Auroras are usually seen near the poles as bright, shimmering lights produced when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere. When they appear farther south, in areas like Japan, they are generally linked to strong geomagnetic storms and occur at lower altitudes of around 124 to 249 miles (200 to 400 kilometers).

The unusual auroras were photographed over Hokkaido, Japan, where observers captured diffuse red glows hanging low over the horizon. Unlike the vivid green curtains commonly associated with the northern lights, these auroras appeared as soft crimson veils spread across the night sky.

This contrast in auroras is because different gases — and different altitudes — produce different colors. Green auroras, the most common type, form when energetic particles excite oxygen atoms about 60 to 150 miles (100 to 250 km) above Earth. Red auroras also come from oxygen, but they occur much higher in the atmosphere, where the air is extremely thin and oxygen atoms can release a dim red glow before colliding with other particles. Blue and purple auroras are typically linked to nitrogen molecules.

Red auroras are generally faint and usually occur at very high altitudes, making them less commonly seen compared to green displays. They are also more often associated with especially strong geomagnetic storms capable of pushing auroral activity farther from the poles.

What's more is that Japan sits much farther south than the regions where auroras are usually visible. While powerful solar storms can occasionally push the auroral oval toward lower latitudes, scientists did not expect such extensive high-altitude red emissions during a storm categorized as only moderate.

The team analyzed five auroral events recorded between June 2024 and March 2025, combining observations from Hokkaido with satellite data and photographs captured by citizen scientists across Japan. By measuring the elevation angles of the auroras in the images and tracing them along Earth's magnetic field lines, the team reconstructed how high the glowing structures extended into the atmosphere. Their analysis suggests that an unusually dense solar wind — streams of charged particles flowing from the sun and interacting with Earth's magnetic field — may have fueled the rare crimson auroras even without an officially "extreme" geomagnetic storm, according to the statement.

The study comes as the sun remains near the peak of Solar Cycle 25, a period of heightened solar activity that has already produced spectacular aurora displays across the globe. In May 2024, one of the strongest geomagnetic storms in decades pushed auroras deep into mid-latitude regions around the world. Understanding these unexpected auroras could improve forecasts of dangerous space weather, which can disrupt satellites, GPS systems, communications and even power grids during extreme solar storms.

"As the number of satellites in low Earth orbit continues to grow, understanding these effects is increasingly important," Nakayama said in the statement.

Their findings were published May 19 in the Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate.

The solar cycle was several years shorter and the sun was experiencing an unusually active phase at the beginning of the 13th century — at least, that's the story told by evidence left behind in tree rings and historical records that suggest a burst of protons and enhanced coronal mass ejections battered Earth between the years 1200 and 1204 CE.

More specifically, scientists led by Hiroko Miyahara of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Solar–Terrestrial Environment and Climate Unit in Japan have found remnants of a dramatic solar proton event in tree rings dating back 825 years.

A solar proton event, or SPE, is a barrage of protons that are accelerated to nine-tenths the speed of light by solar flares and coronal mass ejections. SPEs can be extremely dangerous, threatening astronauts and spacecraft. While Earth's magnetic field can keep out most of the protons, occasionally some burst through Earth's magnetic shield and descend into the atmosphere where they collide with atmospheric gases, creating atoms of a kind of carbon (carbon-14) that drift around the planet and become incorporated into living organisms — including trees.

Miyahara's team used "Meigetsuki," which is the diary of a Japanese courtier and poet named Fujiwara no Teika who lived between 1162 and 1241, as a starting point in their search for historic SPEs. The diary said that, in February of 1204, the poet saw "red lights in the northern sky over Kyoto." Kyoto is located at 35 degrees north, which is a rather low latitude to be witnessing an aurora since auroral lights are usually confined to the poles — the stronger the solar storm, the closer to the mid-latitudes the lights are seen. (It must have been especially strange to Fujiwara no Teika, who would not have known what he was looking at.)

Chinese astronomers also witnessed a red aurora around the same time period. Although SPEs are not directly responsible for the creation of an aurora, they are connected to the coronal mass ejections that do cause auroral lights. Therefore, an unusually strong aurora is a good starting point in the search for historical SPE.

In the remains of buried asunaro trees in northern Japan from the turn of the 13th Century, Miyahara's team found carbon-14 contained within tree rings dating back to the period between the winter of 1200 and the spring of 1201. The tree rings are the smoking gun of a "sub-extreme" SPE.

"Previous studies on historical SPEs have focused on rare, extremely powerful events," Miyahara said in a statement. "Our paper provides a basis for detecting sub-extreme SPEs."

Sub-extreme SPEs are more common and have energies about 10% to 30% of the most extreme SPEs, but are still dangerous.

"Sub-extreme SPEs are more challenging to detect, but our method now allows us to efficiently identify them and better understand the conditions under which they are more likely to occur," said Miyahara.

By applying what's known as "dendroclimatology," which is the study of how the spacing between tree rings records climatic changes, Miyahara's team were able to deduce that the sun must have been supercharged during this period.

"The high-precision data not only allowed us to accurately date sub-extreme solar proton events, but also lets us clearly reconstruct the solar cycles of the period," said Miyahara. "Today, the sun's activity fluctuates over 11-year-long cycles, but we've found that the cycle was just seven to eight years long back then, indicating a very active sun. The SPE we have dated occurred at the peak of one of these cycles."

Intriguingly, the aurora registered by Japanese and Chinese observers came when the solar cycle was winding down to its periodic minimum. This is contrary to what is normally expected, which is that enhanced space weather occurs when the Sun is more active, flinging off coronal mass ejections.

"This is unexpected, and we're excited to look further into what solar conditions could cause this," said Miyahara.

Studies of the isotopes carbon-14 and beryllium-10 in ice cores, tree fossils and sediments show that the solar cycle has varied in length and activity over the past 11,000 years, so the discovery that the cycle was shorter in the early part of the 13th Century is not necessarily a surprise. However, beginning around 1940, we have been in what had been thought to be the strongest period of solar activity for 9,000 years — that is, until this new discovery that suggests there was an even stronger spell in medieval times.

For all that we know about our nearest star, it is clear we still have much to learn, but history can be our guide to filling in the sun's secret past.

The findings are reported in 2026 Volume 102 Issue 4 of the journal Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B.

A trio of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is currently hurtling toward Earth and space weather forecasters say we could experience up to three glancing blows over the coming days, potentially sparking northern lights displays across parts of the northern U.S.

While these solar storms are not expected to strike Earth head-on, they could still clip us and buffet Earth's magnetic field strongly enough to trigger minor (G1) and possibly moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm conditions, according to the U.K. Met Office.

Current NOAA forecast maps show the auroral oval dipping across parts of the northern U.S. overnight. If G1 conditions develop, skywatchers in Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan and Maine could have a chance of spotting the northern lights. If conditions strengthen to G2 levels, auroras may also become visible further south in states including Idaho and New York.

According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.K. Met Office, the possible geomagnetic storms are linked to several CMEs launched from the sun in recent days. Modelling suggests that most of the solar material will miss us, passing north of Earth, but even a glancing blow from any one of these CMEs can be enough to stir geomagnetic activity and enhance aurora shows.

Further enhancement could also come from the lingering effects of the fast solar wind stream from a coronal hole that has been buffeting Earth in recent days. The residual high-speed stream could combine effects from possible CME impacts and boost geomagnetic conditions through May 20, according to the U.K. Met Office.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

Best time to look

The best time to look for auroras is typically within a few hours of local midnight, when skies are darkest and geomagnetic activity often peaks. NOAA forecasts the highest chances for G1 geomagnetic storm conditions between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. tonight (0300-0600 GMT).

But remember, auroras can be notoriously fickle. Even during geomagnetic storms, there is no guarantee that you'll see them. Clear skies, dark conditions and favorable magnetic field alignment all need to come together at the first moment.

How to find the northern lights

If you live in a northern U.S. state with a chance of seeing the northern lights tonight, head to a north-facing vantage point as far from light pollution as possible.

Use your mobile phone to scan the skies, as the camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This can help you pinpoint where in the sky you should be focusing your attention. But remember to keep an eye out elsewhere too, as auroras can pop up in front, behind or even above you! Happy aurora hunting.

If you want to make sure you're all clued up on when to look for auroras, download a space weather app that provides forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.

The aurora australis shone brilliantly over Earth as astronauts watched from above.

In a new image captured by European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot from aboard the International Space Station, you can see a spectacular aurora above the Indian Ocean off the coast of Perth, Australia.

What is it?

On May 7, 2026 at approximately 10:20 p.m. aboard the ISS, Adenot snapped a photo that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie. She captured the image as the space station orbited 268 miles (431 kilometers) above Earth.

The aurora australis can be seen below as a stream of green and pink light hovering over our planet against the blackness of space.

Adenot arrived at the space station on Valentine's Day of this year, as part of SpaceX's eight-month-long Crew-12 mission. She flew to the station alongside mission commander NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, mission pilot NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedaev.

Why is it incredible?

The aurora australis is better known as the southern lights. It occurs in the Southern Hemisphere and, while it's most often seen above the Antarctic Circle, people in places including Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and some southern regions of South America can sometimes spot the aurora, as we can see in this image.

Auroras are spectacular natural fireworks that happen in the night sky. They are created when charged particles emitted by the sun — either during events like flares and coronal mass ejections or just during regular solar activity — interact with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.

To see an aurora on Earth is a bucket-list item for many people. Getting this view from space goes beyond even that, shining a uniquely spectacular light on the phenomenon as you can almost see where exactly in our planet's atmosphere these solar particles are hitting, interacting, and creating this colorful display.

A fast stream of solar wind flowing from a colossal coronal hole in the sun's atmosphere could spark geomagnetic storms tonight and into the weekend (May 15 through May 17), potentially bringing the northern lights as far south as northern Michigan and Maine.

The strongest geomagnetic activity is expected between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. EDT over the next few nights (0300-0600 GMT), which could trigger minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. Elevated geomagnetic activity could continue into May 17 as the fast stream of solar wind continues to buffet Earth's magnetic field.

During G1 geomagnetic storms, auroras can become visible farther south than usual. If conditions align, the northern lights could be visible across parts of the northern U.S., including Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine.

But remember, auroras are fickle creatures. Their visibility depends on several factors, including cloud cover, darkness and how Earth's magnetic field responds to the incoming solar wind. Even during strong geomagnetic storms, sightings aren't guaranteed.

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you live in the northern U.S., head to a dark sky location as far from city lights as possible and look north as soon as the sky is dark. Smartphone cameras can help you capture faint auroras that may not be easily visible to the naked eye.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

Stay tuned!

Keep up to date with the latest space weather news with our aurora forecast live blog. For real-time forecasts based on your location, consider using a space weather app. A great option is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts" (available for iOS and Android). For a deeper dive into space weather conditions, "Space Weather Live" is another excellent choice (available for iOS and Android)

A powerful M5.7 solar flare erupted from the sun on May 10, unleashing an impressive coronal mass ejection (CME) that could deliver Earth a glancing blow tonight and potentially spark northern lights displays at high latitudes.

The eruption peaked at 9:39 a.m. EDT (1339 GMT) from sunspot region AR4436, now rotating into Earth's "strike zone" on the sun's northeastern limb. As the active region swings further into view over the next few days, any major flares or CMEs it produces will have a greater chance of being directed toward Earth.

While most of the recently launched CME appears to be racing east of Earth, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.K. Met Office say part of the expanding plume of solar material may still brush past Earth around early May 13. If that happens, it could trigger minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions, enhancing aurora displays across the northern U.S. and the U.K.

Solar flares are ranked using a scale A, B, C, M and X — the latter being the most powerful category. Each step represents a tenfold increase in energy output. The May 10 event reached M5.7 strength, making it a powerful flare capable of disrupting radio communications on Earth.

The solar flare eruption triggered a radio blackout over the Atlantic Ocean, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. These blackouts occur when intense X-ray and ultraviolet radiation from solar flares ionize Earth's upper atmosphere, interfering with high-frequency radio signals used by aviators, mariners and amateur radio operators.

The timing of the eruption is especially notable for aurora chasers. Almost exactly two years ago, on May 10, 2024, Earth experienced the first "extreme" G5 storm since 2003 — the strongest in more than two decades. The historic event produced dazzling auroras visible far beyond their usual high latitude range, with skywatchers reporting northern lights deep into mid-latitudes such as southern Florida and Mexico.

While the latest CME is not expected to produce anything close to the May 2024 storm, forecasters say a weak glancing blow from the May 10 eruption could still produce minor geomagnetic storm conditions later this week.

Looking ahead, both NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.K. Met Office are warning that more solar activity could be on the way. Both agencies agree there is a chance for additional M flares and maybe even X-class eruptions over the coming days as sunspot regions AR4436 and AR4432 continue to evolve.

When Tom Kerss, chief aurora chaser for the Norwegian coastal voyage operator Hurtigruten, was looking back through footage from his latest season of northern lights voyages, he stumbled upon something truly remarkable.

"I've been chasing the Northern Lights for more than 18 years, and this occurrence is one of the most profound sightings of my career and the most memorable night of aurora-chasing I've experienced," Kerss said in an emailed statement.

Typical pulsating aurora displays last 10 to 20 minutes, but Kerss had captured almost three hours of extreme pulsating auroras — an unusually powerful display and one of the longest on record, according to the statement.

"Even to the naked eye, it was clear something exceptional was happening, with visible pulses and shifting colour," Kerss explained.

"The display lasted for hours, flashing pink and green long after midnight."

He captured the jaw-dropping display in real time using a Sony A7S camera and 14mm F1.4 lens onboard Hurtigruten's MS Trollfjord during an intense geomagnetic storm on Feb. 22, 2026.

Pulsating auroras are not particularly rare. They are commonly associated with powerful auroral substorms that occur somewhat regularly, especially in high-latitude regions like Arctic Norway. But to see them spread across the entire sky in this way, and last for hours, is very unusual.

These pulsating, blinking aurora displays are thought to be driven by waves of energy deep within Earth's magnetic tail — the stretched-out part of our planet's magnetic field that extends into space away from the sun. These waves, known as "chorus waves," act a bit like a cosmic drumbeat.

Each "beat" sends bursts of charged particles — electrified material called plasma — hurtling toward Earth's upper atmosphere. When these particles collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen, they produce flashes of light that appear to switch on and off across the sky.

If you look carefully in the video at the top of the article, you can also notice a subtle but rather fascinating detail in how the colors appear. Pink flashes often come first, followed by green moments later. That's because different gases release light at slightly different speeds. Nitrogen emits its pinkish glow almost instantly, while oxygen takes a fraction of a second longer to produce the familiar green aurora.

"The footage captures not just the beauty, but rare detail that offers real scientific insight," Kerss said.

Head's up, aurora chasers! A surge of speedy solar wind is currently hurtling toward Earth at speeds up to 430 miles per second (700 km/s) and the conditions could spark geomagnetic storms tonight (April 17) and tomorrow (April 18)

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch while forecasters at the U.K. Met Office say there is a chance of strong (G3) bursts if activity intensifies.

If that happens, the northern lights could push much farther south than usual, becoming visible in parts of the U.S. as far south as Illinois and Oregon.

Geomagnetic storms are ranked on a G-scale, from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). Stronger storms can push auroras much farther from the poles, making them visible across mid-latitudes.

Auroras form when solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetic field, sending charged particles into the upper atmosphere. There, they collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen, transferring energy that is released as light, producing the colorful displays seen in the night sky. The stronger the solar wind, the more dynamic and widespread the auroras can become.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

Depending on whether conditions align and geomagnetic storms are triggered, the northern lights could become visible across the northern U.S. tonight. But remember, auroras are never guaranteed and depend on how successfully the solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetic field.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights may be visible across northern U.S. states tonight and tomorrow (April 17-18).

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, activity is expected to peak during the following windows:

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the northern horizon, as far from light pollution as possible.

• Use your phone camera to scan the sky, as a phone camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of which direction to focus your attention.
• Try and let your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes; this will help your night vision develop.
• Wear warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won't want to miss the show when it starts!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well.

While you're at it… look for Lyrid meteors!

If you're heading outside tonight or over the weekend to hunt for auroras, keep an eye out for the Lyrid meteor shower too.

The Lyrid meteor shower is active between April 16 and April 25 and will peak in the predawn hours on April 22.

Lyrids will appear to emanate from the radiant in the Lyra constellation, which rises in the northwest and climbs higher in the sky toward the early morning hours. But make sure you don't look directly at the radiant, as while meteors appear to originate from Lyra, the longer, more dramatic shooting stars often appear farther away, so scan as much of the sky surrounding the radiant as possible.

Incoming! A speedy coronal mass ejection (CME) is heading toward Earth and should it land us with a glancing blow as predicted, we could be in for a northern lights show tonight.

Geomagnetic activity is forecast to ramp up today due to the anticipated arrival of a CME that left the sun during an X.1.4 solar flare eruption in the early hours of March 30. It is currently zipping toward Earth at approximately 1118 miles per second (1900 km/s) and although it is not predicted to hit us head-on, a glancing blow could trigger minor to moderate (G1 to G2) geomagnetic storm conditions overnight. Stronger G3 conditions are also on the table.

But what does this mean? If the CME hits as expected and triggers geomagnetic storm conditions, depending on the storm's strength, auroras could spread much farther from their normal latitudes. G3 conditions, for example, could see the northern lights dip as low as Illinois and Oregon.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 16 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Montana
5. Wisconsin
6. South Dakota
7. Idaho
8. Michigan
9. Maine
10. Vermont
11. New Hampshire
12. Washington
13. Oregon
14. Iowa
15. New York
16. Wyoming

But remember, the northern lights can be very tricky to predict. The list is based on current forecast data at the time of publication. If conditions strengthen when the CME hits, the northern lights could reach farther south than predicted. Equally, if conditions don't align, the show could fail altogether.

Northern hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

When is the best time to see the northern lights tonight?

If the skies are clear, I recommend heading outside as soon as it gets dark enough, as geomagnetic activity is expected to ramp up before nightfall and linger overnight. As it stands, the current timings favor northern European observers, but should the CME arrive late, then the timings could shift to favor northern U.S. states and Canada.

According to NOAA's latest forecast, activity is expected to peak at moderate (G2) storm levels tonight and gradually ease to minor (G1) levels by April 1. Geomagnetic activity is ranked on a scale from G1 to G5 depending on how strong the disturbance to Earth's magnetic field is.

How to see the northern lights tonight

If you're in one of the 16 U.S. states where auroras might make an appearance, a little planning can go a long way in improving your chances of catching the show.

• Head to a dark location with a clear, unobstructed view of the northern horizon. The farther you can get from city lights, the better.
• Once you're set up, use your phone to scan the skies for faint hazy glows. The first flicker of faint auroras are picked up better on your phone camera than your eyes.
• Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness, at least 20-30 minutes if possible.
• Dress warmly and be patient. Auroras can be unpredictable and erupt at a moment's notice before disappearing almost as quickly as they appeared.

To keep up to date with the latest aurora forecasts based on your location, download a space weather app.

One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.

Want to capture the perfect northern lights photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help. If you're looking to upgrade your kit to capture the best astrophotos, we've rounded up the best cameras for astrophotography.

Editor's note: If you snap a photo of the northern or southern lights and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

We were expecting a show this weekend and boy did the sky deliver!

Stunning northern lights lit up skies across the U.S. as a series of powerful geomagnetic storms sparked auroras far beyond their usual polar limits. From North America to northern Europe, skywatchers were treated to a dazzling show.

The burst of activity came as Earth was hit by a complex wave of solar energy, delivering a one-two punch from multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) alongside a fast stream of solar wind from a coronal hole. Strong (G3) storm levels were reached over the weekend, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, setting the stage for widespread aurora sightings. We've rounded up some of this weekend's best northern lights photos and videos below.

Photographer Hasan Akbas captured this stunning aurora show from Fairbanks, Alaska, on March 20. An aurora corona or "crown" appears when the northern lights appear directly overhead.

Akbas also captured a curtain of color as the northern lights danced over snow-capped mountains in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Aurora chaser Hunter Fowkes had a great show from Cheyenne, Wyoming, on March 20 at around 1:30 a.m.

"Before the Aurora tried to rival the brightness of the sun at 1:30 am last night, stout pillars during the opening phase of a substorm," Fowkes wrote in a post on X.

Meanwhile, deep at mid-latitudes (36° N), aurora chaser Derick Wilson captured a red aurora glow from northwest New Mexico!

X user Jakes in Iceland witnessed a truly remarkable show as the northern lights danced overhead from Reykjavik, Iceland.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada shared this dramatic timelapse of the weekend auroras.

Photographer Paul Clark shared a beautiful timelapse of the northern lights dancing over Buttertubs Pass, the Yorkshire Dales, England.

Meanwhile, photographer Alistair Hamill was treated to a truly dreamy scene as he captured faint pink auroras breaking through a hazy sky above the Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland.

The show wasn't limited to folks in the Northern Hemisphere; down under, skywatchers got a stunning display of aurora australis or southern lights.

X user AustraliaSkynWeather shared this view of the southern lights from Trentham, Victoria, Australia, using an iPhone 17Pro.

While the weekend's geomagnetic activity is beginning to wind down, the show may not be completely over yet. Minor to moderate (G1 to G2) storm conditions could linger into March 23, according to the U.K. Met Office, with elevated solar wind continuing to buffet Earth's magnetic field.

Heads up aurora chasers! Several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are currently impacting Earth, with more expected to arrive through the weekend (March 20-22).

Geomagnetic activity is likely to ramp up over the next couple of days as a series of CME impacts combine with a high-speed solar wind stream from a coronal hole. This one-two punch could trigger minor to moderate (G1 to G2) geomagnetic storms tonight, with a chance of stronger (G3) conditions on March 21, potentially pushing the northern lights farther south than usual, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.

Meanwhile, NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch for March 20-21, with elevated activity expected to linger into March 22. Although the first CME appears to have already brushed past Earth, a more direct impact from a March 18 eruption is expected to arrive on March 21, alongside the onset of fast solar wind — helping to fuel aurora activity into the weekend.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 18 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line.

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Montana
5. Washington
6. Idaho
7. Wisconsin
8. South Dakota
9. Michigan
10. Maine
11. Vermont
12. New Hampshire
13. Oregon
14. Wyoming
15. Iowa
16. Nebraska
17. New York
18. Illinois

But remember, auroras can be fickle. The list is based on current forecast data at the time of publication, but if conditions strengthen, the northern lights could reach much farther south than expected. Equally, if conditions don't align, the show may fail altogether.

Related: Northern lights could get a boost from the spring equinox this weekend — here's why

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

When is the best time to look for the northern lights?

If skies are clear, it's worth heading outside as soon as darkness falls as geomagnetic activity is expected to remain elevated throughout the night and into the weekend.

According to NOAA's latest forecast, activity is expected to peak at moderate (G2) storm levels overnight on March 20-21. Conditions are expected to gradually ease to minor (G1) levels by March 22, though aurora chances may still persist, so keep those cameras charged!

How to see the northern lights tonight

If you're in one of the U.S. states where auroras may make an appearance, a little preparation can go a long way in improving your chances of seeing them.

• Head to a dark location with a clear, unobstructed view of the northern horizon — the farther you are from city lights, the better. Once you're set up, keep an eye on the sky and try using your phone's camera to scan for faint glows, which often show up on screen before they're visible to the naked eye.
• Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness — at least 20–30 minutes if possible. Avoid looking at bright lights or your phone too often, as this can reset your night vision and make faint auroras harder to spot.
• Dress warmly and be patient. Aurora displays can be unpredictable, and you may need to wait for activity to build.

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.

Want to capture the perfect northern lights photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help. If you're looking to upgrade your kit to capture the best astrophotos, we've rounded up the best cameras for astrophotography.

Editor's note: If you snap a photo of the northern or southern lights and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

A series of solar eruptions and fast solar wind streams are expected to stir up Earth's magnetic field over the coming days and they're arriving at one of the best possible times for aurora chasers.

Geomagnetic storms are expected between March 20 and March 21 as a mix of incoming coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and high-speed solar wind streams buffet Earth's magnetic field. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch through March 21, with a chance that conditions could briefly reach strong (G3) levels.

This means the northern lights could spread farther south than usual over the weekend, putting on a treat for skywatchers at mid-latitudes. What makes this event especially exciting isn't just the incoming space weather — it's the timing.

Why the spring equinox boosts auroras

March 20 marks the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, a time known to boost geomagnetic activity and aurora displays. Around both the spring and autumn equinoxes, Earth's orientation in space allows its magnetic field to interact more effectively with the solar wind. This seasonal boost is known as the Russell-McPherron effect.

What is the Russell-McPherron effect?

First described in 1973 by geophysicists Christophere Russell and Robert McPherron, the effect explains why geomagnetic storms — and the aurora displays they can trigger — tend to peak around the equinoxes.

During this time of year, the sun shines directly over Earth's equator, giving nearly equal day and night worldwide. Earth is tilted on its axis by about 23.5 degrees, and as it orbits the sun, that tilt shifts how our planet's magnetic field is orientated in space.

This seasonal shift brings Earth's magnetic field into a more favorable alignment with the magnetic field carried by the solar wind and incoming CMEs — making it easier for energy to transfer into our magnetosphere.

Why timing can make storms stronger

With more energy being funneled into Earth's magnetosphere, geomagnetic storms become more likely and often more intense.

To put it simply, the same burst of solar activity can have a bigger impact around the equinoxes than it would at other times of the year. That's why March and September are often considered the best months to catch the northern lights. With multiple CMEs potentially striking Earth alongside a high-speed solar wind stream this week, conditions are already primed for geomagnetic unrest. Add in the seasonal boost from the Russell-McPherron effect and we could be in for a real treat tonight and over the weekend!

However, auroras can be fickle creatures, so it is possible that despite the seemingly perfect conditions, we could end up with a lackluster show.

The intensity and spread of auroras depend on how incoming solar eruptions interact with Earth's magnetic field. One key factor is the direction of the magnetic field carried by the solar wind — known as the interplanetary magnetic field. If it points southward, it can more easily connect with Earth's northward-pointing field, allowing more energy to flow in and supercharge auroras. If it points northward, Earth's magnetic field can act more like a closed door, limiting how much energy gets through.

That being said, conditions can change rapidly, so make sure you've got your cameras charged and your aurora alerts switched on!

Several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are currently hurtling toward Earth. The first expected impact was due in the early hours this morning (March 19) but appears to be running a little late.

Forecasters now say geomagnetic activity is likely to ramp up through March 19-21, with multiple CME impacts expected to trigger minor to moderate (G1 to G2) geomagnetic storms and a chance of stronger (G3) conditions, pushing the northern lights farther south than usual.

NOAA space weather forecasters have issued a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm watch for March 19-21 as a combination of incoming CMEs and high-speed solar wind is expected to buffet Earth's magnetic field. While there remains significant uncertainty around the exact timing and strength of the incoming CMEs, forecasters have higher confidence that a coronal high-speed stream will arrive by March 21 — helping sustain geomagnetic storm conditions even if earlier CME impacts are weaker or delayed.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 18 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Montana
5. Washington
6. Idaho
7. Wisconsin
8. South Dakota
9. Michigan
10. Maine
11. Vermont
12. New Hampshire
13. Oregon
14. Wyoming
15. Iowa
16. Nebraska
17. New York
18. Illinois

But remember, auroras can be relatively unpredictable. The list is based on current forecast data at the time of publication, but if conditions strengthen, northern lights could reach much farther south than expected. Equally, if conditions don't align, we could end up sitting in the dark with no auroras at all. Whether the incoming CMEs deliver impressive aurora shows or end in disappointment largely depends on their magnetic orientation when they hit Earth. If the CME's magnetic field is aligned southward — a component known as Bz — it can link up with Earth's magnetic field, allowing solar energy to stream into our atmosphere and fuel geomagnetic storms. But if it's oriented northward, Earth's magnetic field deflects much of that energy, and the show may never materialize.

Some CME's contain both north- and south-facing fields, which can lead to patchy or fluctuating activity — keeping forecasters and aurora chasers on their toes. We won't know the CME's true magnetic orientation until it's sampled directly by solar wind satellites like DSCOVR and ACE, positioned about a million miles from Earth.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

When is the best time to look for the northern lights tonight?

If the skies are clear, make sure to look for the northern lights as soon as it gets dark, as geomagnetic activity will be at elevated levels if the CMEs arrive as predicted. Currently, high geomagnetic activity is forecast to persist all night.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

Even if individual CME impacts are delayed, the arrival of high-speed solar wind later this week means aurora chance could remain elevated into March 21.

How to see the northern lights tonight

If you're in one of the 16 U.S. states where auroras might make an appearance tonight, a little preparation can go a long way toward improving your odds of seeing them.

1. Start by finding a spot with an unobstructed view toward north, preferably somewhere dark and well away from city lights. The clearer your view of the northern horizon, the better.
2. Start scanning the sky with your phone's camera as they are usually good at picking up faint auroral glows that aren't immediately obvious to the naked eye, helping you identify where activity may be starting.
3. Dark adaptation is crucial and often overlooked when aurora chasing. If you can, give your eyes at least 30 minutes to fully adjust to the darkness so you can detect subtle auroral features. Keep in mind that even a quick look at a bright light or phone screen can reset the process, forcing you to start over.
4. Dress for the wait. Aurora shows can be unpredictable and if conditions look promising you may find yourself waiting outside for a while. Make sure to wear plenty of layers!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings. Want to capture the perfect northern lights photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

If you snap a photo of the northern or southern lights and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a G2 geomagnetic storm warning for March 19 (UTC) — which translates to late March 18 in North America — with G1 conditions likely to continue into March 20, as multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) head toward Earth. Geomagnetic storms are classified using a G-scale, which ranks their intensity from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme).

While the initial forecast focused on a single CME launched during an M2.7 solar flare on March 16, forecasters now say at least four CMEs may impact Earth in quick succession, potentially extending and complicating geomagnetic activity through March 20-21.

CMEs are vast plumes of plasma and magnetic field from the sun which, when conditions are right, can impact Earth's magnetic field and trigger geomagnetic storm conditions, which in turn can lead to impressive aurora displays.

This is great news for aurora chasers as the predicted G2-level storm could bring northern lights as far south as New York and Idaho, but NOAA's SWPC says there is a chance that G3 levels could be reached, which could lead to aurora sightings deep into mid-latitudes such as Illinois and Oregon.

When will the solar storm hit?

The possible arrival time for the incoming solar storms is still evolving, and depends on which of the multiple CMEs strike Earth and what effect they have.

According to NOAA's latest forecast, the first impacts could begin as early as 11 p.m. EDT March 18 (0300 GMT March 19), with moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm conditions most likely between 2:00 a.m. and 8 a.m. EDT (0600-1200 GMT).

However, other models, including those cited by the U.K. Met Office, suggest the main CME could arrive later on March 19 or even early March 20, prolonging auroral activity through the weekend.

Because multiple eruptions are involved, geomagnetic activity could persist for 24-48 hours or longer, rather than peaking in a single short burst. So make sure your camera batteries are charged! We could be in for multiple nights of aurora shows down at mid-latitudes.

Will auroras actually be visible?

Even during strong geomagnetic storms, aurora visibility is never guaranteed.

While G2 conditions can push the auroral oval southward, how far auroras are visible depends on factors like magnetic field orientation, storm timing and local weather conditions.

Auroras are also highly dynamic, often intensifying during short-lived bursts known as substorms — meaning the best displays may last only minutes at a time.

Clear, dark skies and timing your viewing around peak geomagnetic activity will be key.

But if there is even a chance you might get a good show and your weather forecast is looking clear, I'd definitely be heading outside and keeping an eye out, as you never really know!

Seasonal boost to auroras

This week's storm watch comes at an especially exciting time for aurora hunters, with many regarding March as one of the best months to see the northern lights.

Around the spring and autumn equinoxes, Earth's orientation in space makes it easier for its magnetic field to connect with the magnetic field carried by the solar wind and incoming CMEs. This seasonal boost in geomagnetic activity is known as the Russell-McPherron effect, first described by geophysicists Christopher Russell and Robert McPherron in 1973.

During the equinoxes, the sun shines directly over Earth's equator, giving both hemispheres equal day and night. This geometry also helps incoming solar wind interact more effectively with Earth's magnetic field.

For most of the year, Earth's tilt reduces this interaction, helping to deflect some of the incoming charged particles. But around the equinoxes, that natural shield becomes more open to incoming solar wind. As a result, space weather events such as fast solar wind from coronal holes or CMEs can deliver a stronger impact, increasing the chances of auroras.

Stay tuned!

Keep up to date with the latest space weather news with our aurora forecast live blog. For real-time forecasts based on your location, consider using a space weather app. A great option is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts" (available for iOS and Android). For a deeper dive into space weather conditions, "Space Weather Live" is another excellent choice (available for iOS and Android)

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

Editor's note: This article has been updated with the latest forecasts from NOAA and the U.K. Met Office, including revised storm timing, updated geomagnetic storm levels and new information indicating multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are now expected to impact Earth.

A high-speed stream of solar wind is expected to sweep past Earth tonight (March 13), potentially triggering minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.

Forecasters say storm activity is most likely March 13-14, with elevated geomagnetic conditions possibly lingering into March 15 as the fast solar wind stream continues to buffet Earth's magnetic field.

Should conditions be favorable, the northern lights could become visible across high-latitude regions such as Alaska, northern Canada, northern Scotland and northern Scandinavia, with the best chances tonight and Saturday night while the solar wind stream is strongest. Activity may remain somewhat elevated into Sunday before gradually easing.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 9 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the possible aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Montana
5. South Dakota
6. Wisconsin
7. Idaho
8. Washington
9. Maine

But remember, auroras can be difficult. The list is based on current forecast data at time of publication, but if conditions strengthen, northern lights could reach much farther south than expected. Equally, if conditions don't align, we could end up with no auroras at all.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

When is the best time to look for the northern lights tonight?

If the skies are clear, you can look out for the northern lights as soon as it gets dark, as geomagnetic activity is forecast to become elevated around 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) and remain elevated into the night.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, possible geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you're in one of the 9 U.S. states where auroras might make an appearance tonight, a little planning can go a long way toward improving your chances of seeing them.

1. Start by finding a location with an unobstructed view north, preferably someone dark and well away from city lights. The clearer your view of the northern horizon, the better.
2. When you're set up, start scanning the sky with your phone's camera, as they are usually good at picking up faint auroral glows that aren't immediately obvious to the naked eye. This helps you identify where activity might be starting and where you should be focusing most of your attention.
3. Dark adaptation is crucial and often overlooked when aurora chasing. If you can, give your eyes at least 30 minutes to fully adjust to the dark so you can better detect subtle auroral features. Keeping in mind that even a quick glance at a bright light or a phone screen can reset the process, forcing you to start over.
4. Dress for the occasion. Aurora shows can be unpredictable and if conditions look promising, you may find yourself standing outside for a while. Make sure to wear plenty of warm layers!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.

Want to capture the perfect northern lights photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

Editor's Note: If you snap a photo of the northern or southern lights and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

Jupiter's moons can have surprising effects on the world's displays of auroral lights by "stomping down" on the planet's gigantic magnetic environment.

These surprising effects, detected in observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), include a cold spot in Jupiter's atmosphere, and a rapid increase in the density of charged particles.

"The moons constantly interact with the magnetic field and plasma surrounding the planet and that interaction leads to highly energetic particles traveling down magnetic field lines and then crashing into the planet's atmosphere, creating the auroral footprints that map to where the moons orbit around Jupiter," said Katie Knowles, who is a Ph.D. researcher at Northumbria University in the U.K., in a statement.

Jupiter's auroral lights are created in similar fashion to Earth's as charged particles riding on the solar wind slam into Jupiter's magnetic field and are funneled down towards the gas giant's poles. When they enter the atmosphere, they collide with atoms and molecules, causing them to glow. However, by interacting with Jupiter's magnetic field, its four largest moons — the Galilean moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto — can leave an imprint on the aurora.

The footprints are exacerbated by a phenomenon known as the Io Plasma Torus. Io is the solar system's most volcanic body, and its volcanoes spew out tons of charged particles that drift into orbit around Jupiter, forming the plasma torus that is held in place by Jupiter's magnetic field. As the Galilean moons orbit Jupiter, they interact with the plasma torus and the magnetic field, and drive ions towards Jupiter's atmosphere, contributing to the aurora and generating electrical currents that influence how bright the auroral footprints are.

Previous multi-wavelength measurements have tracked how bright the aurora, and these footprints, can become. However, in September 2023, Northumbria's Henrik Melin and Tom Stallard used the to take snapshots of the area on Jupiter's where auroral events rotated into view. By watching the edge of Jupiter's disk, the JWST was able to probe the side profile of Jupiter's atmosphere directly beneath an aurora.

When Knowles analyzed that data, she found something unexpected.

The JWST took five snapshots, and in four of them, everything looked normal. But in one snapshot, a cold spot appeared in the atmosphere below an aurora connected to Io's footprint. While the rest of the aurora was at a steady temperature of 919 degrees Fahrenheit (493 degrees Celsius), the cold spot was a "mere" 509 degrees Fahrenheit (265 degrees Celsius).

The density of ions streaming into the upper atmosphere to power the aurora around the cold spot was also far higher than had ever been measured before. One particularly abundant ion present was the trihydrogen cation (H₃⁺) and the ion density was, on average, three times greater than the rest of the aurora. Moreover, within the cold spot, densities could vary by up to 45 times in just that small region.

"We found extreme variability in both temperature and density within Io's auroral footprint that happened on the timescale of minutes," said Knowles. "This tells us that the flow of high-energy electrons crashing into Jupiter's atmosphere is changing incredibly rapidly."

Jupiter's auroral lights are the most powerful in the solar system, but they are not the only auroral lights present in our corner of the neighborhood. Of course, there are Earth's auroral lights — but Earth's moon does not leave a footprint on our planet's aurora because it does not interact with Earth's magnetic field strongly enough. However, Saturn's moon Enceladus, which is spewing particles into space via its water geysers, does impact the aurora on the ringed planet. It is therefore possible that this cold spot phenomenon also happens there.

"This work opens up entirely new ways of studying not just Jupiter and its other Galilean moons, but potentially other giant planets and their moon systems," said Knowles. "We're seeing Jupiter's atmosphere respond to its moons in real-time, which gives us insights into processes that occur throughout our solar system and perhaps further afar."

However, questions remain.

For instance, the cold spot was only seen in one image. How often do they occur, what causes them to switch on and off, and how are they influenced by conditions in Jupiter's magnetic environment?

Knowles is already searching for answers. In January 2026 she was awarded time on NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility on Mauna Kea in Hawaii to track the various auroral footprints over six nights as they rotate with the planet, and she is currently analyzing the data.

The JWST observations are described in a paper published on March 3 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

A minor geomagnetic storm painted the night skies over Iceland and eastern Canada with glowing ribbons of aurora on Feb. 16, 2026, and one eagle-eyed satellite spotted the show from above.

These striking nighttime views were captured by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite, a joint mission between NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

What is it?

The images show the northern lights shimmering over the Denmark Strait and across parts of Canada during a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm. On a five-level scale that tops out at G5 (severe), G1 is the weaker of the geomagnetic storms but can still produce vivid auroras at high latitudes if the conditions are right.

Geomagnetic storms arise when incoming charged particles from the sun — from fast solar wind or coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hit Earth's magnetic field, causing a temporary disturbance in Earth's magnetosphere. During such storms, the energetic particles are funneled toward the poles via Earth's magnetic field lines, where they then collide with gases in the upper atmosphere and release energy in the form of light, giving us auroras.

Though this satellite imagery is in grayscale, lucky skywatchers on the ground would have likely seen curtains of green light with possible magentas and reds rippling overhead.

The color of auroras is caused by the gases in the atmosphere that the energetic particles collide with. Green is the most common color (and the most easily spotted with our eyes), and is caused when particles collide with oxygen molecules at a height of around 60 to 90 miles (100 to 300 kilometers). Red auroras occur when solar particles collide with oxygen at higher altitudes, generally around 180 to 250 miles (300 to 400 km). Blue and purple auroras are less common and tend to appear during strong geomagnetic storms. They are produced when solar particles collide with nitrogen at altitudes of around 60 miles (100 km) or less.

Where is it?

The first image shows bright auroras stretching from Greenland to Iceland at 11:45 p.m. EST (0445 GMT Feb. 16). The second image, captured around 1:30 a.m. EST (0630 GMT) shows the northern lights stretching above the Canadian provinces of Québec, Newfoundland and Labrador. City lights from Montreal can be seen sprawling in the lower portion of the image.

An international team of researchers has uncovered new insights into the upper atmosphere of Uranus, where ions swirling above the ice giant planet's clouds meet the magnetic field surrounding the world.

"Uranus's magnetosphere is one of the strangest in the solar system," Paola Tiranti, a researcher at Northumbria University in the U.K., said in a statement. "It's tilted and offset from the planet's rotation axis, which means its auroras sweep across the surface in complex ways."

Using the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) instrument aboard the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the team studied Uranus as it rotated. The researchers observed how temperature and charged particles "vary with height across the planet," according to the statement; the resulting data could help scientists understand more about how energy behaves in ice giants' upper layers.

"By revealing Uranus's vertical structure in such detail, Webb is helping us understand the energy balance of the ice giants," Tiranti said. "This is a crucial step towards characterizing giant planets beyond our solar system."

The JWST continues to provide unprecedented detail on comic phenomena located millions, even billions, of miles away from us. With such detailed data available, scientists are still able to make new discoveries about the planets in our solar system. The telescope has previously had its sights set on Uranus too, even discovering a new moon of the planet in 2025.

"This is the first time we've been able to see Uranus's upper atmosphere in three dimensions," said Paola. "With Webb's sensitivity, we can trace how energy moves upward through the planet's atmosphere and even see the influence of its lopsided magnetic field."

Voyager 2 provided our first close-up data and images of Uranus way back in 1986. The flyby helped scientists figure out that Uranus is very cold compared to its neighboring planets — in fact, around then is when we found out Uranus is our solar system's coldest planet.

"Webb's data confirm that Uranus's upper atmosphere is still cooling, extending a trend that began in the early 1990s," said Paola. "The team measured an average temperature of around 426 kelvins (about 150 degrees Celsius), lower than values recorded by ground-based telescopes or previous spacecraft."

The research was published on Feb. 19 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

NASA launched two rockets from Alaska this week to learn more about the electrical "circuitry" within auroras, the colorful light shows that occur when solar wind collides with Earth's atmosphere.

The missions saw two suborbital sounding rockets launch from the Poker Flat Research Range near Fairbanks, Alaska loaded with scientific equipment that will fly into the atmosphere for a short period of time to gather data.

The destination for the rockets in both missions was the northern lights, or aurora borealis.

The Black and Diffuse Auroral Science Surveyor (BADASS) mission launched in the early morning of Feb. 9 to study black auroras, an event that occurs when electrons shoot up into space, instead of flowing toward Earth, which is what happens with other auroras.

The rocket reached an altitude of 224 miles (360 km) before falling back to Earth. The BADASS mission's principal investigator Marilia Samara said everything went according to plan and that the scientific instruments on the rocket performed as expected, returning high-quality data that NASA can use to study black auroras and what causes the electron stream reversal to happen.

The Geophysical Non-Equilibrium Ionospheric System Science (GNEISS) mission, pronounced "nice", used a pair of sounding rockets on a wider mission of creating a 'CT scan' of the electric currents flowing in the northern lights.

The GNEISS rockets launched back-to-back on Feb. 10 and reached peak altitudes of 198 miles (319 km) and 198 miles (319 km). The launches for the GNEISS mission went according to plan, gathering data that NASA will use to look into auroras' inner workings.

"We want to know how the current spreads downward through the atmosphere," Kristina Lynch, GNEISS principal investigator and Dartmouth College professor said in a NASA statement.

Using the two rockets with a network of ground receivers, the data gathered during the flight will allow researchers to create a three-dimensional view of an aurora's electoral environment.

"It's essentially like doing a CT scan of the plasma beneath the aurora," Lynch said.

Studying auroras is important, because they are associated with geomagnetic storms, which can cause all kinds of technical issues for satellites in space, as well as endanger astronauts. On Earth, the storms can lead to power blackouts, cause air travel diversions, and interfere with radio transmissions.

A rare aurora appeared briefly over southern Brazil on Jan. 19 during a powerful geomagnetic storm. Luckily for us, one photographer was at the right place at the right time to capture the fleeting scene.

Astrophotographer Egon Filter captured the faint purple-red glow from Cambará do Sul, in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state, during the peak of the geomagnetic storm. Auroras are typically confined to high latitudes near Earth's north and south magnetic poles, making sightings in the Southern Hemisphere this far north of Antarctica very rare.

Filter had always dreamt of photographing the aurora australis (southern lights) in Brazil, but Rio Grande do Sul state is located between the 27 and 33 degrees south latitude, far outside the usual auroral zone.

"For an aurora to be visible at low latitudes, a very violent and exceptional solar storm is necessary," Filter told Space.com in an email.

To Filter's delight, that condition was met on Jan. 19, when a strong geomagnetic storm struck Earth. He was watching the southern sky when the glow appeared.

"It was a fantastic, truly thrilling feeling to check the camera and see that I had captured the image," Filter continued. "I took a few more pictures and, after a few minutes, it had already disappeared."

How did auroras reach Brazil?

The short-lived display occurred inside the South Atlantic Anomaly, a region where Earth's magnetic field is weaker than elsewhere, according to spaceweather.com. This region is usually associated with suppressed auroral activity, not enhanced displays, and one leading explanation is that the weak and disorganized magnetic fields in the anomaly do a poor job of focusing and accelerating solar wind particles. As a result, any auroras that do form tend to appear as faint, diffuse glows rather than bright, well-defined curtains.

Spaceweather.com noted that the glow could also potentially have been a stable auroral red (SAR) arc, a diffuse band that can appear during strong geomagnetic storms when energy from Earth's ring current leaks into the upper atmosphere. SAR arcs have been observed at lower latitudes during strong storms and are typically quite faint.

However, solar physicist Tamitha Skov says the geometry of the Brazilian observation points more strongly to aurora than a SAR arc. "What makes this particular observation more remarkable is that it is observed high in the sky over Brazil and not near the southern horizon," Skov told Space.com. Given Brazil's low latitude, Skov explained that the glow was most likely diffuse equatorial aurora penetrating through the South Atlantic Anomaly, rather than a SAR arc, which is more commonly found hugging the horizon.

"It is aurora, but it is diffuse (not discrete) and it comes from a different source than we typically associate with the auroral zone," Skov explained.

While the sight is rare, Skov emphasized that it was not unexpected. She explained that the sun is currently returning to a more "active posture" and that recent solar activity is closer to what scientists consider normal when averaged over the past 24 solar cycles.

"These observations are consistent with the expected behavior from the Sun-Earth system, right now," Skov said. "Many of us have been predicting we would see this kind of aurora for years now. In fact, some of us have actively asked aurora field reporters to be on the lookout for it."

Editor's Note: If you snap a photo of the northern or southern lights or any other sky phenomena and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

I've been fortunate enough to witness some incredible aurora displays over the years — and to receive stunning photos from readers and photographers — but this latest series of images from airline pilot Matt Melnyk may be the best I've ever seen.

During the recent geomagnetic storms that rattled Earth's magnetic field on the night of Jan. 18–19, auroras were spotted far beyond their usual polar limits, with skywatchers around the world sharing vivid images of green, red and deep magenta scenes in the sky. But Melnyk arguably had the best seat in the world — the cockpit of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

"The show started as soon as we climbed above the clouds and continued on and off during the flight from Calgary to London, U.K.," Melnyk told Space.com. "It was a historical night that's for sure!"

The breathtaking photographs were captured from 37,000 feet (11 kilometers) over northern Manitoba, Hudson Bay and Baffin Island in Canada.

From the cruising altitude of aircraft like Melnyk's, high above the clouds and far from city light pollution, auroras can appear brighter, sharper and more expansive than from the ground, with clouds and city lights far below. The northern lights appeared to fill the entire sky, saturating the scene with vivid curtains of color dancing to the whims of Earth's magnetic field.

"This was the most incredible display of aurora I've ever seen in my 20 years of flying!" Melnyk added. "This flight I will remember for days to come."

Melnyk captured the stunning photographs with a Canon R6 ii and Sigma 14mm F1.8 lens. "I normally shoot with a 20mm F1.4 lens out of the airplane at night, but I decided to go extra wide for this flight as I knew I would probably need something wider to get the big auroras!" Melnyk added.

Melnyk is no stranger to being accompanied by the northern lights during flights across Europe, and we recently featured another set of his images captured during a severe G4 geomagnetic storm in Nov. 2025. While those photos were stunning, this latest collection truly surpasses them.

If you would like to see more of Melynk's work and order prints of your favourite photos, check out his newly launched website.

Inspired to capture your own astrophotography? Our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography can help you get ready to capture the next stunning skywatching event.

Earth is still reverberating from the colossal coronal mass ejection (CME) that struck on Jan. 19, triggering dazzling aurora displays worldwide. And while tonight's show (Jan. 20) may be somewhat more subdued, the solar storm isn't quite over — so keep your camera batteries charged and your aurora alerts on.

Geomagnetic storm intensity is expected to gradually ease through the night, but elevated activity is forecast to persist. According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, active to minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions are likely, meaning auroras may still be visible across northern U.S. states and other high-latitude locations. And with Earth's magnetic field still ringing like a bell from yesterday's impact, brief surges could push the lights farther south than forecast.

While NOAA's latest forecast predicts activity will remain at G1 levels tonight, the U.K. Met Office is slightly more optimistic. In its latest outlook, the agency notes that storm conditions could remain at strong to severe (G3 to G4) levels through Jan. 20, depending on how the CME continues to unfold. If that proves to be the case, auroras could become visible across a much larger portion of the U.S. than the 10 states currently predicted.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 10 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Montana
5. South Dakota
6. Wisconsin
7. Idaho
8. Washington
9. Michigan
10. Maine

Auroras are notoriously unpredictable. While the list above reflects the best data available right now, Earth's magnetic field is still reverberating from last night's geomagnetic beating, and that lingering energy could give auroras an extra push farther south than expected.

The storm has been gradually easing throughout the day, but occasional surges in geomagnetic activity are still possible. So if you're south of the listed states and have clear, dark skies tonight, it's still worth taking a look — you might just catch one last burst.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

When is the best time to look for the northern lights tonight?

If the skies are clear, make sure to look for the northern lights as soon as it gets dark tonight, as geomagnetic activity is already elevated following the early arrival of yesterday's CME.

That means the northern lights could appear sooner than expected, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky throughout the evening.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

• 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. EST (1800-2100 GMT): Moderate (G2) geomagnetic storming possible
• 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. EST (2100-0000 GMT): Minor (G1) geomagnetic storming possible
• 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. EST (Jan. 21)(0300-0600 GMT): Minor (G1 geomagnetic storming possible

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you're in one of the 10 U.S. states where auroras might make an appearance tonight, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of seeing them.

First, start by finding a spot with an unobstructed view toward north, preferably somewhere dark and well away from city lights. The clearer your view of the northern horizon, the better.

Then start scanning the sky with your phone's camera, as these are usually good at picking up faint auroral glows that aren't immediately obvious to the naked eye, helping you identify where activity may be starting.

Dark adaptation is crucial and often overlooked when aurora chasing. If you can, give your eyes at least 30 minutes to fully adjust to the darkness so you can detect subtle auroral features. Keep in mind that even a quick look at a bright light or phone screen can reset the process, forcing you to start over

Finally, dress for the wait. Aurora shows can be unpredictable and if conditions look promising you may find yourself waiting outside for a while. Make sure to wear plenty of layers!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.

Want to capture the perfect northern lights photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

Editor's Note: If you snap a photo of the northern or southern lights and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

We were expecting a show and boy did it deliver.

Skywatchers around the world were treated to stunning auroras that surged far beyond their usual polar limits, lighting up mid-latitude skies during a severe G4 geomagnetic storm.

Northern lights were reported across mid-latitudes, with sightings stretching from Germany to the southwestern United States, including New Mexico, during a night of rapidly fluctuating geomagnetic conditions that fluctuated between G1, G2, G3 and G4 storm levels.

The display was triggered by the arrival of an exceptionally fast coronal mass ejection (CME) that struck Earth's magnetic field at around 2:38 p.m. EST (1938 GMT) on Jan. 19, when geomagnetic conditions first escalated to G4 (severe) storm levels, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. The CME had blasted away from the sun just a day earlier, on Jan. 18, during a powerful X1.9 solar flare — giving it remarkably little time to cross the roughly 91 million miles (147 million kilometers) between the sun and Earth.

After the initial shock arrival, the passage of the CME itself kept Earth's magnetic field in a highly disturbed state for hours, producing repeated surges of auroral activity as storm levels rose and fell through the night, according to the U.K. Met Office.

We've gathered up some of the best photos from last night's aurora activity captured by skywatchers around the world.

Scott Mellis captured this beautiful image of the northern lights dancing over Covesea Lighthouse, Lossiemouth, Scotland, on Jan. 19.

"Wow, what a night it was last night with the sky erupting in colour," Mellis told Space.com in an email.

Photographer Greg Gage sent us these stunning views of the northern lights captured from Deming, New Mexico, at 32° latitude!

"I live in Sistersville, WV and that is usually where I catch aurora. However, I'm on a 2-week 'snowbird' getaway to Deming, NM," Gage told Space.com in an email.

"In WV I am at latitude 40°. The last thing I expected was to catch auroras this far south. But a G4 CME was able to make it this far south. Wow!!"

Photographer Miguel Marques (Marques Astronomy) captured this remarkable scene from Portugal at 40ºN on Jan. 19 around 10:30 p.m. local time.

The red aurora was visible to the naked eye, according to Marques.

Meanwhile, in Germany, the northern lights danced above the river Müggelspree. This stunning photo was captured by photographer Florian Gaertner.

In Romania, Sanda Buciuta braved the chilly temperatures to capture this delightful display on Jan. 19.

"For Romania, it is a rather rare phenomenon, especially the explosion of colors, red, green, including a tinge of purple," Buciuta told Space.com in an email.

"I was excited to observe this phenomenon. It was -9 degrees [Celsius] outside, quite cold, but it was well worth it," Buciuta added.

Auroras flooded the skies above the village of Abaujvar, Hungary, with vivid hues of red and green. The beautiful photograph was captured by photographer Robert Nemeti.

In France, photographer Jerome Gilles captured this eerie scene as rich magenta auroras filled the sky above Morbihan, Brittany.

Photographer Chi Shiyong had front row seats to an incredibly colorful display above Beiji Village, Mohe City, Heilongjiang Province, China.

Rich magenta hues fill the sky as distinct pillars also start to take form.

Adri van den Berg snapped this beautiful northern lights show on Jan. 19 from Rouveen, Overijssel, in the Netherlands.

Cloudy skies didn't stop photographer Lou Benoist from capturing this stunning image of the northern lights peaking through a gap in the clouds over the stunning cliffs of Etretat, France.

Meanwhile, in western France, photographer Oscar Chuberre captured this stunning image of the northern lights over Portsall.

In Germany, photographer Sascha Schuermann captured a dramatic scene unfolding in the skies above North Rhine-Westphalia.

Many skywatchers took to X to share their impressive shots of the aurora show.

Photographer Mathieu Rivrin captured a stunning timelapse of the northern lights dancing above the Côte de Granit Rose (the Pink Granite Coast), Brittany, France.

Aurora chaser Alex Masse captured a stunning view of tall aurora pillars from Kerwood, Ontario, Canada, at 10:55 p.m. local time.

Amateur astrophotographer Damian shared some remarkable photos captured from Munich, south Germany!

"It was absolutely amazing, really unbelievable and unforgettable," Damian wrote in a post on X.

Storm chaser Wouter van Bernebeek shared a beautiful photo of the northern lights dancing above Nijmegen, Netherlands, at around 10:20 p.m. local time.

While geomagnetic activity is expected to gradually ease, space weather forecasters say conditions remain unsettled — meaning there's still a chance the northern lights could make another appearance tonight if solar wind conditions cooperate.

So keep those camera batteries charged and aurora alerts switched on, we may not be done just yet.

Editor's note: Wow, the anticipated geomagnetic storm didn't disappoint last night, with northern lights reported far beyond their usual polar limits. You can see some of the best scenes from that show in our aurora photo roundup. While geomagnetic activity is expected to ease, conditions remain unsettled, and there's still a chance the northern lights could make another appearance tonight, Jan. 20, though likely less intense.

Read more: Northern lights may be visible in 10 states tonight as Earth's magnetic field 'rings like a bell' after CME impact

A colossal coronal mass ejection (CME) has struck Earth, triggering severe (G4) geomagnetic storm conditions that could push the northern lights much farther south than usual tonight (Jan. 19–20). The impact, confirmed by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, is already stirring Earth's magnetic field — setting the stage for a potentially spectacular aurora display across the northern U.S. and possibly beyond.

NOAA confirmed that G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm levels were first reached at 2:38 p.m. EST (1938 GMT) on Jan. 19 following the shock arrival. The storm is ongoing, and NOAA says CME passage is expected to continue through the evening, with G4 conditions still possible. That means tonight's aurora prospects are even more promising — if skies are clear and the magnetic field orientation remains favorable.

The CME was launched during a powerful X-class solar flare on Jan. 18 and raced toward Earth at speeds of 620–870 miles per second (1,000–1,400 km/s). Aurora chasers, get those camera batteries charged and your alerts switched on — tonight could be quite the night.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 24 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. Washington
3. Oregon
4. Idaho
5. Montana
6. North Dakota
7. Minnesota
8. South Dakota
9. Wisconsin
10. Wyoming
11. Michigan
12. New York
13. Vermont
14. Maine
15. New Hampshire
16. Massachusetts
17. Nebraska
18. Iowa
19. Illinois
20. Indiana
21. Ohio
22. Pennsylvania
23. Missouri
24. Colorado

But remember, auroras can be very fickle. The list is based on current forecast data at the time of publication, but if conditions strengthen, northern lights could reach much farther south than expected. Equally, if conditions don't align, we could end up twiddling our thumbs, with no auroras at all.

Whether tonight's CME delivers a dazzling aurora show or ends in disappointment depends largely on its magnetic orientation when it hits Earth.

If the CME's magnetic field is aligned southward — a component known as Bz — it can link up with Earth's magnetic field, allowing solar energy to stream into our atmosphere and fuel geomagnetic storms. But if it's oriented northward, Earth's magnetic field deflects much of that energy, and the show may never materialize.

Some CMEs contain both north- and south-facing fields, which can lead to patchy or fluctuating activity — keeping forecasters and aurora chasers on their toes. We won't know the CME’s true magnetic orientation until it's sampled directly by solar wind satellites like DSCOVR and ACE, positioned about a million miles from Earth.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

When is the best time to look for the northern lights tonight?

If skies are clear, make sure to look for the northern lights as soon as it gets dark tonight, as geomagnetic activity is already elevated following the early arrival of today's CME. While the official forecast still shows the strongest (G4) storming between 1 and 4 a.m. EST (0600–0900 GMT) on Jan. 20, severe conditions have already been observed much earlier than anticipated.

That means the northern lights could appear sooner than expected, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky throughout the evening.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you're in one of the 24 U.S. states where auroras might make an appearance tonight, a little preparation can go a long way toward improving your odds of seeing them.

1. Start by finding a spot with an unobstructed view toward north, preferably somewhere dark and well away from city lights. The clearer your view of the northern horizon, the better.
2. Start scanning the sky with your phone's camera as they are usually good at picking up faint auroral glows that aren't immediately obvious to the naked eye, helping you identify where activity may be starting.
3. Dark adaptation is crucial and often overlooked when aurora chasing. If you can, give your eyes at least 30 minutes to fully adjust to the darkness so you can detect subtle auroral features. Keep in mind that even a quick look at a bright light or phone screen can reset the process, forcing you to start over
4. Dress for the wait. Aurora shows can be unpredictable and if conditions look promising you may find yourself waiting outside for a while. Make sure to wear plenty of layers!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings. Want to capture the perfect northern lights photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

Editor's Note: If you snap a photo of the northern or southern lights and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

This article was updated at 4:14 p.m. EST (2115 GMT) on Jan. 19 to reflect the confirmed arrival of the CME and the onset of G4 geomagnetic storm conditions, as reported by NOAA.

The northern lights may appear in skies across the northern U.S. tonight (Jan. 16), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center.

Earth is currently being buffeted by a high-speed solar wind stream from a colossal coronal hole on the sun. When this speedy solar wind arrives at Earth, it can impact our magnetosphere enough to cause periods of geomagnetic storming at the minor (G1) to moderate (G2) levels. This, in turn, can lead to impressive aurora displays.

According to NOAA's SWPC, this current speedy solar wind stream could trigger minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions with a chance of isolated moderate (G2) storming at times through Jan. 18. If G2 levels are reached, auroras could extend farther south than usual, with possible visibility as far south as parts of the northern U.S., including states like Idaho and New York, as well as Canada and northern Europe.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 15 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Montana
5. Wisconsin
6. Michigan
7. South Dakota
8. Idaho
9. Maine
10. Vermont
11. New Hampshire
12. Washington
13. Iowa
14. Wyoming
15. New York

But remember, auroras can be very fickle. The list is based on current forecast data at the time of publication, but if conditions strengthen, northern lights could reach much farther south than expected. Equally, if conditions don't align, we could end up twiddling our thumbs, with no auroras at all.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights could be visible across 15 U.S. states tonight (Jan. 16-17) as soon as it gets dark, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky (and your aurora alerts) throughout the evening, especially in areas with clear, dark skies.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

• 1 a.m. - 7 a.m. EST (0600-1200 GMT): Minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions possible.

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you're in one of the 15 U.S. states where auroras might make an appearance tonight, a little preparation can go a long way toward improving your odds of seeing them.

1. Start by finding a spot with an unobstructed view toward north, preferably somewhere dark and well away from city lights. The clearer your view of the northern horizon, the better.
2. Start scanning the sky with your phone's camera as they are usually good at picking up faint auroral glows that aren't immediately obvious to the naked eye, helping you identify where activity may be starting.
3. Dark adaptation is crucial and often overlooked when aurora chasing. If you can, give your eyes at least 30 minutes to fully adjust to the darkness so you can detect subtle auroral features. Keep in mind that even a quick look at a bright light or phone screen can reset the process, forcing you to start over
4. Dress for the wait. Aurora shows can be unpredictable and if conditions look promising you may find yourself waiting outside for a while. Make sure to wear plenty of layers!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.

Want to capture the perfect northern lights photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

In Finnish folklore, the northern lights are created when a mythical fox races across the Arctic tundra, its tail sweeping snow into the sky and setting it ablaze. Those glowing sparks, the story goes, become auroras — a legend reflected in the Finnish word revontulet, which literally translates to "fox fires."

That ancient myth feels uncannily real in a remarkable set of astrophotos captured by Dennis Lehtonen in December 2022 in northern Finland.

The images show vivid auroras dancing overhead and a fox below who seems far more interested in the photographer than the light show unfolding above.

Three of the photographs were taken on the same night, with moonlight brightening the Arctic landscape.

The fourth photo was captured a week later, when the fox returned for another round of aurora chasing. Though in this instance, it was Lehtonen who was doing most of the chasing as the sly fox made off with his gloves that he'd set down while sorting out his camera.

"Whenever I would attempt to approach it, trying to get the gloves back, it would run away, but eventually returned them with fingers missing," Lehtonen told Space.com in an email.

Lehtonen captured the images near the remote village of Kilpisjärvi, located deep inside the Arctic Circle and known for its dark skies and frequent aurora displays.

"My original reason for moving and living in this small village, Kilpisjärvi, home to a hundred people, was my aurora hobby. I lived there for a year, but then I continued moving to Greenland," Lehtonen continued.

Editor's note: If you snap an astrophoto and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

The northern lights could illuminate skies across the northern U.S. tonight (Jan. 8-9) according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).

An incoming stream of fast solar wind from an Earth-facing coronal hole is expected to peak overnight, with speeds reaching up to 700 km/s — more than double the usual background level. Space weather forecasters are also monitoring several incoming coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that could deliver glancing blows to Earth. Together, these enhanced wind speeds and potential CME impacts could push geomagnetic conditions to minor (G1) storm levels tonight.

That's good news for aurora chasers, as it boosts the chances of seeing the northern lights across parts of the northern U.S.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 12 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Maine
5. Wisconsin
6. Michigan
7. South Dakota
8. Idaho
9. New Hampshire
10. Vermont
11. Washington
12. New York

But remember, auroras can be very fickle. The list is based on current forecast data at the time of publication, but if conditions strengthen, northern lights could reach much farther south than expected.

Equally, if conditions don't align, we could end up twiddling our thumbs, with no auroras at all.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights could be visible across 12 U.S. states tonight (Jan. 8-9). It's worth keeping an eye on the sky (and your aurora alerts) throughout the evening, especially in areas with clear, dark skies.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

• 1 a.m. - 7 a.m. EST (0600-1200 GMT): Minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions possible.

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you live in one of the 12 U.S. states forecasted to potentially catch sight of the northern lights tonight, there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

• Find a north-facing vantage point, ideally with a clear view of the northern horizon. Try and get as far away from light pollution as possible.
• Use your phone camera first to scan the sky for signs of auroras. Phone cameras are a great way to pick out faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of where to focus your attention.
• One of the trickiest — but most important — steps is letting your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes. This allows your night vision to fully develop, making it much easier to spot faint auroras. But be warned: even a brief glance at a non-red light source (yes, that includes checking your phone) can undo that adaptation, meaning you'll need to wait another 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust again.
• Wear warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand outside for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won't want to miss the show when it starts!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well.

I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.

Want to capture the perfect photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

Heads up aurora chasers! The northern lights may light up skies across the northern U.S. Jan. 2-3 according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).

An incoming coronal mass ejection (CME) — a vast plume of plasma and magnetic field from the sun — is forecast to deliver Earth a blow sometime on late Jan. 2 but more likely in the early hours of Jan. 3, according to the U.K. Met Office. If it arrives as expected, the CME could trigger minor (G1) to moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm conditions.

This is good news for aurora chasers as it raises the chance of seeing the northern lights at mid-latitudes.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 18 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Montana
5. Wisconsin
6. South Dakota
7. Michigan
8. Idaho
9. Maine
10. Vermont
11. New Hampshire
12. Washington
13. Iowa
14. Oregon
15. New York
16. Wyoming
17. Nebraska
18. Illinois

But remember, auroras can be very fickle. The list is based on current forecast data at the time of publication, but if conditions strengthen, northern lights could reach much farther south than expected. Equally, if conditions don't align, we could end up twiddling our thumbs, with no auroras at all.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights could be visible across 18 U.S. states tonight (Jan. 2-3) as soon as it gets dark, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky (and your aurora alerts) throughout the evening, especially in areas with clear, dark skies.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

• 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST (2100-0300 GMT): Minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions possible.
• 10 p.m. - 4 a.m. EST (0300-0900 GMT): Moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm conditions possible.

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you live in one of the 18 U.S. states forecasted to potentially catch sight of the northern lights tonight, there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

• Find a north-facing vantage point, ideally with a clear view of the northern horizon. Try and get as far away from light pollution as possible.
• Use your phone camera first to scan the sky for signs of auroras. Phone cameras are a great way to pick out faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of where to focus your attention.
• One of the trickiest — but most important — steps is letting your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes. This allows your night vision to fully develop, making it much easier to spot faint auroras. But be warned: even a brief glance at a non-red light source (yes, that includes checking your phone) can undo that adaptation, meaning you'll need to wait another 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust again.
• Wear warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand outside for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won't want to miss the show when it starts!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well.

I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.

Want to capture the perfect photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

Quite a bit has happened in the space sector this year, out in the cosmos as well as on Earth — and actually, in Earth orbit, too.

For instance, U.S. President Donald Trump took office in only January, but his administration is responsible for a wealth of changes that have flipped life upside down for scientists in the States. China, Russia and India are meanwhile steadily strengthening their space programs, and other countries are starting to bloom toward the cosmos as well. Earth orbit, to say the least, is getting pretty crowded.

At the same time, an interstellar comet paid our solar system a surprising visit, black holes and neutron stars continue to baffle us with their mind-bending characteristics, the northern lights are suddenly appearing in skies across the world, a Mars rover managed to find rocky treasure on the Red Planet and science fiction has been captivating enough to float us into our imaginations on days when real things like spaceflight crashes and political encroachment on climate science get overwhelming.

But through it all, our reporters have been following the show.

So, to create a must-read story list for you, we asked our staff to select their favorite pieces of 2025. Alas, while you're drinking leftover hot chocolate or sitting in your room trying to escape questions from your extended family, here are some great reads, twisty reads, essential reads and long, joyful reads to relax into.

1. On NASA sinking its flagship science center and possibly breaking the law

Josh has been putting out amazing stories all year, but his investigative article revealing the sweeping and chaotic changes inflicted by NASA leadership on the Goddard Space Flight Center was of a different class. It was a considered, well-researched and thoughtfully written piece that explored the human cost of the administration's actions, while alerting the public to the long-term damage that the secretive moves could wreak on the agency's scientific capabilities.

It prompted discussion and action from both Space.com's readership and also the ranking member of the U.S. congressional committee on science, space and technology, Zoe Lofgren, who cited the story in a letter to NASA acting administrator Sean Duffy while demanding that NASA cease its actions and give "a full accounting of the damage inflicted on Goddard thus far."

TLDR: Josh is the journalist I want to be when I finally grow up.

NASA is sinking its flagship science center during the government shutdown — and may be breaking the law in the process, critics say

2. The perplexing saga of an astronaut imposter

After more than 20 years of space reporting, I thought I'd heard most of the crazy stories from the space age, but must admit that Jeff Maysh's tale of huckster astronaut wannabe Robert Hunt, who for years play-acted being an astronaut, took me by surprise. Through some meticulous reporting, and interviews with Hunt himself, Jeff recounts an astounding story of one man's determination to play the role of a space traveler without actually being one. It's an amazing story, more so for how long Hunt seemed to get away with it.

How a fake astronaut fooled the world, broke women's hearts, and landed in jail

3. Edwin Hubble's helpers and an aurora cruise

As an astronomy editor, I read and write about Edwin Hubble a lot, and in many different contexts. His presence permeates so much of physics as a whole, from the Hubble Space Telescope and Hubble's Law to the Hubble Constant and resulting Hubble Tension. But what science writer Keith Cooper did with his look back on how Hubble proved our Milky Way galaxy isn't alone in the universe is focus on the side characters responsible for Hubble's great success — characters very rarely spoken about. This engrossing read is where my rabbit-hole of knowledge about Milton Humason began, a janitor and mule skinner who helped with the construction of Mount Wilson Observatory, then went on to aid Hubble in several major discoveries.

I'm not sure if this is allowed, but I also have a second favorite that needs to be on this list. Maybe I was biased because I read this story after having a slightly rough day and sipping tea in my bed, but our editor Daisy Dobrijevic's long, narrative piece about being on a multi-day aurora cruise along Norway's frigid coast was really a treat. The vivid imagery and honest retelling of what emotions are involved when viewing neon ribbons in the sky make you feel like you were there. There's one bit about a window that has stayed in my mind. You'll know when you read it.

100 years ago, Edwin Hubble proved our Milky Way galaxy isn't alone

Is an aurora cruise worth it? I joined Hurtigruten's Signature Voyage to find out

4. Trump's desire to slash NASA's budget rattles scientists

I love how we leaned into writing about the current U.S. administration's questionable decisions this year, and this was one of my favorites. In times of controversy, in-depth reporting matters more than ever.

'What a waste:' US scientists decry Trump's 47% cuts to NASA science budget

5. A NASA satellite corpse in disguise

This story from Rob Lea dives into a space mystery, which are always my favorite, and explores how a dead NASA satellite ended up fooling astronomers into thinking they had discovered a fast radio burst (FRB) from far beyond the Milky Way. Featuring interviews with the researchers behind the discovery itself, the story explores possible ways the defunct satellite could have produced such a remarkable burst of radio waves — which still remains a mystery.

Astronomers thought a mysterious radio burst came from deep space. It was actually a dead NASA satellite

6. A scientific conference with a veil of fear

Mona's piece is my top pick because of its timely and informative content and its narrative outline. She does a wonderful job describing the impacts of NASA's and the National Science Foundation's absences at a major astronomy meeting and connects it to wider issues concerning the scientific community at a time when many in their field feel uncertain about their academic and professional futures.

Mona plainly demonstrates the stakes from an easy-to-understand perspective, and shows the importance of such organizations at these kinds of biannual gatherings in a way that put me in the shoes of the disappointed scientists who traveled all the way to Alaska only for the headline act not to show up, and the scientists who eagerly await these meetings who were barred from attending.

I'd also like to add honorable mentions, though, to two other brilliant stories from this year: Daisy Dobrijevic's piece about visiting STARMUS in La Palma and Brett Tingley's about an Apollo-era radio telescope being up for sale.

NASA's been pulling out of major astronomy meetings — and scientists are feeling the effects

I went to STARMUS La Palma for science and music — I came back in love

This Apollo-era radio telescope in the NC mountains once spied on Soviet satellites. Now it's for sale

7. The division between our universe's most monstrous objects

Black holes and neutron stars are without a doubt the two most fearsome and impressive objects in the known universe. Both are born when massive stars die and "go nova." That means that the obvious question is: Where is the dividing line between these two bodies? It is so cool that we are on the verge of discovering that division, which will lead us toward figuring out what the biggest neutron stars are and what the smallest black holes are.

How compact can a neutron star get before collapsing into a black hole?

8. An industrial project threatening the world's largest telescope

My favorite stories this year are Tereza Pultarova's paired features on the threat posed to Cerro Paranal, published about a year apart. Together, they show how journalism can follow an issue beyond the initial alarm, tracing it through evidence, expert voices and ultimately a call to action. They balance the urgent need for clean energy with our shared responsibility to protect the night sky, highlighting not just obvious impacts to astronomy like light pollution but also subtler ones such as vibrations and turbulence. To me, this is one of the biggest emerging threats to modern astronomy — and exactly the kind of story we need to keep telling.

World's largest telescope threatened by light pollution from renewable energy project

An industrial project in Chile threatens Earth's darkest sky. 28 leading astronomers signed an open letter urging to move it

9. The hunt for alien life on Mars gets a lead

This story is a great example of how to cover the search for alien life responsibly. It highlights the inherent complexity and difficulty of the E.T. hunt without sucking the excitement out of important discoveries that spot the trail, like the Perseverance rover's "poppy seed" and "leopard spot" finds. All science journalists should seek to strike this balance.

Did NASA's Perseverance rover find evidence of ancient life on Mars? The plot thickens

10. The film "Apollo 13" is just as good as you remember

The quintessential space movie turned 30 this year, and Rich Edwards — one of our talented freelancers — looked back on Apollo 13 and how it showcased the grit and determination of NASA's scientists, and not just the rockstar astronauts onboard the stricken craft.

It's a beautifully written retrospective on a phenomenal movie, and if you missed it back in June, then it's time to perform a slingshot maneuver around the moon and check it out now.

'Apollo 13' at 30: The space movie where scientists have the right stuff too

11. The importance of journalism and a comet from beyond

I really enjoyed this story because I got a front row seat to see some of the coolest images of 3I/ATLAS in existence — and also because of the classic journalism spirit behind it. When this news broke, it was evening and just our astronomy editor Mona, myself, our video editor Steve, our spaceflight editor Mike and our editor in chief Tariq were on Slack, seeing these images together for the first time and tag-teaming to get the story polished and published. At one point, my internet (which I thankfully now have updated) wasn't working and I freaked out, fearing the job would reach a halt. Thankfully, the delay was short, and here we are.

So … long answer, but overall, not only is this story a joy to read because it's scientifically spectacular — look at those images of an interstellar object! — but also because of the people behind it. In a world where journalism and freedom of the press is under multiple threats, both from growing anti-intellectual culture and the rise of AI, it's important to remember people are at the heart of what we do.

NASA reveals new images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS from across the solar system: 'It looks and behaves like a comet'

If you're hoping for a festive skywatching surprise, Christmas week is shaping up to be more active than usual in space. Fast solar wind from a large coronal hole on the sun has already triggered minor (G1) geomagnetic storms and forecasters say unsettled conditions could persist into Christmas.

While this isn't likely to be a major aurora event, conditions are more unsettled than background levels, raising the odds for festive auroras, especially at high latitudes. The best chances will be limited to high-latitude regions, including Alaska, northern Canada, Scandinavia, and far northern Scotland.

Behind the unsettled conditions is a stream of unusually fast solar wind flowing from a large coronal hole on the sun. According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, solar wind speeds peaked near 500 miles (800 kilometers) per second earlier this week and are now averaging around 430 miles (700 km) per second, still about twice as fast as typical background solar wind — helping to drive the recent G1 geomagnetic storms.

These enhanced solar wind conditions are forecast to persist through Dec. 24-25, keeping geomagnetic activity elevated through Christmas Eve into Christmas Day. While storm levels may ease off slightly, there is a possibility of periods of active geomagnetic conditions according to space weather forecasters at NOAA and the U.K. Met Office.

There is also a possible wildcard at play.

According to NOAA, a coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun on Dec. 20 could pass close to Earth on Dec. 24, potentially striking our planet with a glancing blow. While no clearly Earth-directed CME has been observed, even a near-miss could briefly enhance aurora activity by disrupting the already disturbed solar wind environment around Earth.

Any aurora enhancement is likely to be limited to high latitudes; for the U.S., this means northern states such as Alaska, Washington, North Dakota and Minnesota. Elsewhere, elevated geomagnetic conditions could see auroras dance for skywatchers in northern Canada, Greenland and parts of Scandinavia.

To keep informed about when and if you can expect to catch a glimpse of the northern lights from where you live, we recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well.

I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings. Want to capture the perfect photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

The northern lights may put on another show across the U.S. tonight as speedy solar wind from an Earth-facing coronal hole is forecast to spark minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center.

Geomagnetic activity is expected to reach minor (G1) storm levels overnight, which could be good news for aurora chasers as it raises the chance of seeing the northern lights in mid-latitudes.

Space weather forecasters say Earth will remain under the influence of the fast solar wind through Dec. 25, potentially offering aurora chasers several opportunities to catch the display over the festive season.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 10 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. Washington
3. North Dakota
4. Minnesota
5. Montana
6. Maine
7. Michigan
8. Wisconsin
9. South Dakota
10. Idaho

Remember, auroras can be fickle creatures. The list is based on current forecast data, but if conditions strengthen and skies are clear, auroras could reach much farther south than expected.

Then again, if conditions don't align, we might end up with a "nothing burger" and no auroras at all.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights could be visible across 10 U.S. states tonight (Dec. 23-24) as soon as it gets dark, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky throughout the evening, especially in areas with clear, dark skies.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

• 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. EST (2100-0000 GMT): Minor G1 level storming possible

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you live in one of the 10 U.S. states forecasted to catch a glimpse of the northern lights tonight, there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

• Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the northern horizon, as far from light pollution as possible.
• Use your phone camera to scan the sky, as a phone camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of which direction to focus your attention.
• Try and let your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes; this will help your night vision develop.
• Wear warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won't want to miss the show when it starts!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well.

I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings. Want to capture the perfect photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

Activity on the sun is not constant; it varies along a cycle of about 11 years. The peak of this solar cycle — called solar maximum — is when sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are the most frequent. At the bottom of the cycle, called solar minimum, these phenomena may be absent for months at a time.

We are currently midway through Solar Cycle 25, the 25th solar cycle since the naming convention began back with Solar Cycle 1 in 1755. Solar Cycle 25 officially began at the last solar minimum in December 2019.

Over the past few years, activity on the sun has been high — something millions around the world have experienced firsthand during the several displays of low-latitude auroras throughout 2024 and 2025. Although it is valid to consider the recent years of heightened solar activity to be the general solar maximum period, solar maximum itself is defined by the individual month in which the 13-month smoothed sunspot number reached its peak.

Although we can't guarantee that sunspot numbers won't surge again, it is very likely that the solar maximum of Solar Cycle 25 occurred back in October 2024. This puts all of 2025 into the declining phase of the current solar cycle — a trend that will almost certainly continue through 2026. This means that in 2026, we will see fewer sunspots, solar flares and CMEs, but it doesn't mean our chances for strong auroras are over.

Comparing solar flares and geomagnetic storms

As of Dec. 10, 2025, the sun had produced 19 X-class solar flares this calendar year, with more likely before the year is up. However, only four of these solar flares were over a threshold of X2.0, with the strongest event reaching an X5.1-class flare on Nov. 11, 2025. In comparison, 2024 saw over 50 X-class solar flares, with 20 at or above the X2.0 level. In 2024, there were also five solar flares stronger than the largest solar flare of 2025 (at the time this was written), with the largest reaching an X9 level — the strongest Earth-facing solar flare of the solar cycle so far.

Strong solar flares routinely produce CMEs — eruptions of plasma from the sun's atmosphere. Solar flares and CMEs can happen independently, but the strong CMEs typically originate from X-class solar flares. If a CME is directed at Earth, it will impact Earth's magnetic field upon arrival and trigger a geomagnetic storm.

Geomagnetic storms are what produce the northern and southern lights at lower latitudes than usual. They are ranked on a scale of G1 to G5. 2025 saw the third-strongest geomagnetic storm of the solar cycle so far, reaching a G4 (severe) level on Nov. 11. In 2024, we saw two stronger geomagnetic storms, a G5 (extreme) and G4 (severe) in May and October 2024, respectively. For each of these events, widespread auroras were seen across the world. So can we expect this activity to continue?

Strong flares remain likely

Although we are now in the declining phase of the solar cycle, it doesn't mean our chances for strong flares or geomagnetic storms are over. Although solar flares and CMEs will become less frequent in the coming years, strong individual events will still occur. Historically, the strongest events on the sun typically happen during the cycle's declining phase, and sometimes even years after solar maximum.

Let's take, for example, solar flares in solar cycles 23 and 24. Solar Cycle 23, which peaked in 2001, was a strong solar cycle — with far higher sunspot numbers and stronger solar flares than Solar Cycle 24 and Solar Cycle 25. Solar Cycle 23 had 10 flares over the X10.0-class level, with four in 2003, two in 2005 and one in 2006 — years after solar maximum in 2001.

The largest of these flares, which occurred in 2003, is estimated to have reached the X40-class level (but, because it exceeded the sensitivity of detectors at the time, it is difficult to say for sure). Solar activity surrounding this strongest flare led to back-to-back G5 (extreme) geomagnetic storms around Halloween 2003, bringing auroras down to low latitudes during the strongest event in recent decades — two years into the solar cycle's declining phase.

In a similar story, Solar Cycle 24 peaked in 2014, with the two largest flares occurring in September 2017 (an X13.3 and an X11.88), more than three years after solar maximum. These events, however, were not notably Earth-directed, so they did not bring strong aurora displays.

This historical precedent can aid predictions. Although the total number of solar flares will likely decrease through 2026, we will likely continue to see strong solar flares next year. If we are lucky with the timing and eruptive nature of these strong solar flares, then we'll still have good odds of experiencing further strong aurora displays in 2026.

Editor's note: The CME forecasted to hit Dec. 9 failed to deliver. According to space weather forecasters at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.K. Met Office, the anticipated CME either missed Earth or only brushed our planet weakly, resulting in no significant response.

Geomagnetic conditions are expected to stay quiet through Dec. 11, with only a slight chance of brief enhancements if any of the recent small, non-direct CMEs happen to glance Earth.

The northern lights could put on a show across the U.S. tonight as a coronal mass ejection (CME) is forecast to hit Earth, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center.

The full-halo CME was released during an M8.1 solar flare on Dec. 6 and is expected to impact Earth today (Dec. 9), potentially causing periods of strong (G3) geomagnetic storming.

This is great news for aurora chasers as it increases the chance of seeing the northern lights at both high and mid-latitudes tonight.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 15 states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Montana
5. Wisconsin
6. South Dakota
7. Michigan
8. Idaho
9. Washington
10. Maine
11. Vermont
12. New Hampshire
13. Iowa
14. Wyoming
15. New York

The list ranks states from most likely to least likely to see auroras based on proximity to and coverage within the auroral zone.

But remember, auroras can be fickle creatures. The list is based on current forecast data, but if conditions strengthen and skies are clear, auroras could reach farther south than expected. Then again, if conditions don't align, we might end up with a "nothing burger" and no auroras at all! We shall have to wait patiently and see.

Northern hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights may be seen from 15 U.S. states tonight (Dec. 9-10) as soon as it gets dark, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky throughout the evening.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

• 1:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. EST Dec. 9 (0600-1500 GMT) Moderate and strong G2/G3 level storming possible
• 10:00 a.m. Dec. 9 - 4 a.m. EST Dec. 10 (1500-0900 GMT Dec. 10) Minor G1 level storming possible.

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you live in one of the 15 U.S. states forecasted to catch a glimpse of the northern lights tonight, there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the northern horizon, as far from light pollution as possible.

Use your phone camera to scan the sky, as a phone camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of which direction to focus your attention.

Try and let your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes; this will help your night vision develop.

Wear warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won't want to miss the show when it starts!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings. Want to capture the perfect photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

The northern lights could light up skies across the U.S. tonight, as a high-speed solar wind stream from a coronal hole and an incoming coronal mass ejection (CME) are forecast to hit Earth, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center.

The combination of the incoming solar wind and the CME released during Monday's X-class solar flare could push geomagnetic conditions to moderate (G2) levels with a brief chance of strong (G3) if both the fast solar wind and CME arrive close together.

This is good news for aurora chasers as it increases the chance of seeing the northern lights at mid-latitudes.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 15 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Montana
5. Wisconsin
6. Michigan
7. South Dakota
8. Idaho
9. Maine
10. Vermont
11. New Hampshire
12. Washington
13. Wyoming
14. Iowa
15. New York

Remember, auroras can be fickle creatures. The list is based on current forecast data, but if conditions strengthen and skies are clear, auroras could reach much farther south than expected.

Then again, if conditions don't align, we might end up with a "nothing burger" and no auroras at all.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights could be visible across 15 U.S. states tonight (Dec. 3-4) as soon as it gets dark, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky throughout the evening, especially in areas with clear, dark skies.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

• 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. EST (2100-0000 GMT): Moderate G2 level storming possible.
• 7 a.m. - 1 a.m. EST (Dec. 4) (0000-0600 GMT): Minor G1 level storming possible
• 1 a.m. - 4 a.m. EST (Dec. 4) (0600-0900 GMT)

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you live in one of the 15 U.S. states forecasted to catch a glimpse of the northern lights tonight, there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

• Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the northern horizon, as far from light pollution as possible.
• Use your phone camera to scan the sky, as a phone camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of which direction to focus your attention.
• Try and let your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes; this will help your night vision develop.
• Wear warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won't want to miss the show when it starts!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings. Want to capture the perfect photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

When last year's solar superstorm "Gannon" slammed into Earth, it not only painted the sky with beautiful auroras, but also shrunk one of the planet's protective layers to just one-fifth its usual size.

Data from the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Arase satellite revealed the most dramatic collapse of the plasmasphere — a protective layer of charged particles that encircles our planet — ever recorded after the Gannon solar storm struck Earth on May 10, 2024, according to a statement from Nagoya University.

A geomagnetic superstorm occurs when the sun unleashes an exceptionally powerful burst of energy, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), toward Earth's magnetic field. These eruptions flood Earth's magnetosphere with huge amounts of solar energy, triggering intense electrical currents in the upper atmosphere and along Earth's magnetic field lines, as well as atmospheric heating and global magnetic disturbances. Such extreme events are rare, happening only once every two to three solar cycles, or about 20–25 years.

Researchers from Nagoya University looked at how the plasmasphere and ionosphere react during such extreme space weather events. The plasmasphere itself is a doughnut-shaped reservoir of cold, electrically charged particles that co-rotates with Earth's magnetic field, while the ionosphere acts as the source of charged particles that refill the plasmasphere.

Although invisible, the plasmasphere acts as a buffer against high-energy particles and helps regulate how disturbances from the sun ripple through near-Earth space, playing a crucial role in protecting satellites, radio signals and navigation systems. Normally, the region's outer boundary — the plasmapause — sits around 27,340 miles (44,000 kilometers) above Earth. During the May 2024 storm, it plunged to about 5,965 miles (9,600 kilometers) in just nine hours, an astonishing contraction for a structure that typically changes slowly, according to the statement.

The Gannon storm, one of the strongest geomagnetic events in over 20 years, delivered a rapid series of blows as multiple solar eruptions launched waves of plasma toward Earth. During the storm's peak, extreme solar activity compressed Earth's magnetic field, allowing charged particles to travel much farther along magnetic field lines toward the equator and producing rare mid-latitude auroras in regions like Japan, Mexico and southern Europe.

As the storm intensified, the compressed magnetic field also dragged the plasmasphere inward with it. Not only did the region shrink rapidly, but it also remained depleted for more than four days — the longest recovery observed by the Arase mission, which launched in 2017 and orbits through Earth's plasmasphere.

"We found that the storm first caused intense heating near the poles, but later this led to a big drop in charged particles across the ionosphere, which slowed recovery," Atsuki Shinbori, lead author of the study from Nagoya University, said in the statement. "This prolonged disruption can affect GPS accuracy, interfere with satellite operations and complicate space weather forecasting."

Part of the prolonged collapse came from a "negative storm" that effectively cut off the pipeline of fresh particles that normally replenish the plasmasphere. With its supply line throttled, the plasmasphere struggled to rebuild, highlighting how tightly linked Earth's atmospheric layers become during extreme space-weather events.

"This link between negative storms and delayed recovery had never been clearly observed before," Shinbori said in the statement.

As solar activity ramps up, understanding how quickly this protective region can erode — and how slowly it may recover — is becoming increasingly important for forecasting and safeguarding communications systems, navigation networks and other critical infrastructure on Earth.

Their findings were published Nov. 20 in the journal Earth, Planets and Space.

Follow Samantha Mathewson @Sam_Ashley13. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.

The northern lights could light up skies across the U.S. tonight, as a high-speed solar wind stream from a coronal hole continues to boost geomagnetic activity, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center.

Geomagnetic activity is expected to reach minor (G1) storm levels overnight, which could be good news for aurora chasers as it increases the chance of seeing the northern lights at mid-latitudes.

Space weather forecasters say Earth will remain under the influence of the fast solar wind through Nov. 29, potentially offering aurora chasers several opportunities to catch a display. Conditions are expected to slowly return to background levels by Nov. 30, as the coronal hole influence wanes.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 10 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. Washington
3. North Dakota
4. Minnesota
5. Montana
6. Maine
7. Michigan
8. Wisconsin
9. South Dakota
10. Idaho

Remember, auroras can be fickle creatures. The list is based on current forecast data, but if conditions strengthen and skies are clear, auroras could reach much farther south than expected. Then again, if conditions don't align, we might end up with a "nothing burger" and no auroras at all.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights could be visible across 10 U.S. states tonight (Nov. 27-28) as soon as it gets dark, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky throughout the evening, especially in areas with clear, dark skies.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be best at the following times:

• 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. EST (2100-0000 GMT): Minor G1 level storming possible.

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you live in one of the 10 U.S. states forecasted to catch a glimpse of the northern lights tonight, there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

• Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the northern horizon, as far from light pollution as possible.
• Use your phone camera to scan the sky, as a phone camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of which direction to focus your attention.
• Try and let your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes; this will help your night vision develop.
• Wear warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won't want to miss the show when it starts!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings. Want to capture the perfect photo? Our how to photograph auroras guide can help.

Astronauts orbiting Earth recently photographed not one but two comets while an aurora show danced below them.

The International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 73 crew took several pictures of comets Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and SWAN (C/2025 R2) in recent weeks that were just posted to NASA's website and social media pages after the end of the long government shutdown.

"Comets Lemmon and SWAN soar millions of miles away from Earth, beaming with auroras and airglow, in these celestial images from the orbital outpost captured in October," NASA officials wrote on the ISS X feed on Wednesday (Nov. 18).

Comets are small bodies made of ice and dust; when they approach our sun, radiation pressure and heat give them spectacular tails. Auroras are light shows that happen when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field, while airglow is luminescence caused by chemical reactions high in the atmosphere.

NASA didn't say who on the crew took the photos, but they look very similar to images taken by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui. Yui, unlike the NASA crew, was able to keep posting on social media channel X during the shutdown. (The NASA astronauts were allowed to perform only essential duties during the shutdown, such as ISS science and maintenance.)

Yui provided descriptions of his photos as well. "You can … distinguish between the two types of tails: ion and dust," Yui wrote (in Japanese; translation by xAI's Grok tool) on Oct. 20 of a Lemmon image with the comet backdropped by a starry, bluish-purple sky. (NASA posted a similar image from that same day on its website.)

More images came quickly. "After a busy day comes to an end, I've been continuing to take photos to soothe my fatigue. Lately, my source of healing has been Lemmon-chan, I suppose?" Yui posted on X with a series of images on Oct. 22. "I find myself thinking things like, 'What kind of expression will you show me today, I wonder?' and heading toward the window, and that moment feels as enjoyable as heading out on a date."

Yui sent out another image series on Oct. 21, noting changes in Lemmon's brightness and tail — as well as changes in Earth's atmosphere. Both the Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 photo sets on Yui's feed are similar to an Oct. 23 image on NASA's website.

Then, on Oct. 24, Yui found Lemmon appearing to melt into a spectacular aurora of green and yellow light, which looks like an entry on NASA's image website. Lemmon was 57.2 million miles (92.1 million kilometers) from Earth and the ISS was above Fargo, North Dakota when the image was taken.

"It was just like a mermaid swimming through a sea of auroras," Yui said of Lemmon. He added the show was "too magnificent" to use the familiar "chan" honorific when referring to Lemmon, so he chose to adopt the more formal "Lemmon-san."

That same day, Yui pivoted his attention to what NASA identifies as Comet SWAN, which was about 27.2 million miles (43.8 million km) from Earth at the time. "As the comet approaches the sun, the opportunities to photograph it from the ISS have become very short," Yui noted of the image, which shows SWAN floating above green and yellow bands of airglow off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

It's rare to have two bright comets visible in the sky at roughly the same time, and especially rare for them to peak in brightness so close to each other: Lemmon and SWAN both were at their brightest around Oct. 20 and Oct. 21.

Lemmon was discovered in January by University of Arizona astronomer David Carson Fuls in images from the Mount Lemmon Survey, using the university's eponymous telescope near Tucson. SWAN was found in September by Ukrainian amateur astronomer Vladimir Bezugly using images from the Solar Wind Anisotropies (SWAN) instrument on the European Space Agency's space-based Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).

A stealth solar storm hit Earth on Nov. 20. It arrived without warning and may have contributed to auroras visible at mid latitudes.

This event didn't trigger a geomagnetic storm; however, such solar storms, or coronal mass ejections (CMEs), are still exciting because they erupt almost undetected and disrupt the solar wind conditions around Earth. They are generally more common when the sun enters the declining phase of its 11-year solar cycle, the periodic rise and fall in the sun's magnetic activity.

A regular CME is usually obvious in solar data. These eruptions involve bright flares, sudden changes in extreme ultraviolet light or large loops visibly lifting off the sun's surface. Coronagraphs typically capture them as billowing cloudlike structures emanating from the sun. Stealth CMEs are the opposite. They erupt quietly, without flares or any bright signatures. They tend to be faint, slow-moving and very hard to track. Because of that, scientists usually only spot stealth CMEs after they arrive at Earth and disrupt the solar wind.

That's exactly what happened on Nov. 20, when NOAA's Space Weather Forecasters reported that solar wind conditions on Nov. 20 were dominated by negative-polarity coronal hole high-speed stream with a possible "embedded transient," which could indicate a stealth CME.

The magnetic field carried by the solar wind, normally around 4-6 nanoteslas, briefly spiked to 18 nanoteslas at 9:20 a.m. EST (1420 GMT) while solar wind speeds hovered between 400-500 km/s, higher than the usual background levels that flow near Earth.

"Stealthy #solarstorms are back!" space weather physicist Tamitha Skov wrote in a post on X. "They are stealthy because they have no signature in on-disk or coronagraph imagery. We only detect them when they arrive at Earth. Expect only minor storming with this one at high latitudes, but some of them can cause strong storming when they launch near high-speed streams."

Auroras reported overnight from mid-latitudes, including Maine and Denmark, could have been the result of this stealthy CME combined with the effects of the fast solar wind stream from a coronal hole.

The high-speed stream helped boost geomagnetic activity slightly, meaning auroras stretched slightly farther than their usual background high-latitude range.

Why stealth CMEs matter

Stealth CMEs are a known challenge for space-weather forecasting. A 2021 study found that stealth eruptions can originate from quiet regions of the sun, yet still produce strong magnetic signatures in space. The authors note that stealth CMEs "pose many problems for space weather forecasting" because their signatures are extremely faint and require multi-wavelength, multi-angle observations to identify.

Stealth CMEs arise from quiet regions on the sun with weak, simple magnetic fields. Conditions that become more common during the declining phase of a solar cycle.

"It may seem counterintuitive since we just had a near G5, but we just had an early sign of Solar Minimum's approach!" Skov wrote on X.

Last week, skywatchers across North America were treated to an extraordinary northern lights display, but airline pilot and photographer Matt Melnyk may have had the best view of all.

Cruising at 36,000 feet (11 km) during a flight from London to Calgary, Melnyk photographed the vivid aurora show on Nov. 12 from the cockpit of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

"It was a pretty special night, that's for sure!" Melnyk told Space.com in an email.

Melnyk is no stranger to flying alongside the northern lights. "This time of the year, I get to see aurora 90% of the time on my flights across Europe," Melynk said. "But this particular flight was special because a severe solar storm was in progress."

On Nov. 11-12, a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm lit up skies across the northern hemisphere with vibrant auroras sweeping over Canada, the U.S. and even as far south as Mexico. The dazzling display followed the arrival of multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — bursts of magnetic field and plasma from the sun — launched by sunspot AR4274, one of the most energetic sunspot groups of the current solar cycle.

"It's rare to be flying at the exact time a major solar storm is happening, so I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to witness this event," Melnyk told Space.com.

To capture the scene, Melnyk used a Canon R6 Mark II paired with a Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM lens.

"These photos were not that tricky to obtain thanks to new camera technology that allows me to get these photos handheld. The combination of a fast lens and a high-performing low-light camera makes it very simple." Melnyk said.

Just this week, Melnyk captured another dynamic display during a Nov. 17 flight from Calgary to London, photographing the northern lights as he flew over northeastern Alberta and north of Hudson Bay.

Inspired to get out and capture amazing astrophotos for yourself? Our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography can help you get ready to capture the next stunning skywatching event.

Editor's Note: If you snap an astrophoto and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

I've been fortunate enough to catch several northern lights displays in just a few years, including from my own backyard in Nottingham, U.K. (thank you Gannon Storm 2024). As an aurora reporter, one of the most common questions I get asked is, "Where's the best place to see them?"

Here's what I tell everyone: For your best chance, you'll want to head above the Arctic Circle under the auroral oval. The important thing to keep in mind is that no matter what, make sure you pick somewhere you want to go, regardless of whether the northern lights make an appearance. Why? Well, that's because they don't always show up — and that's part of their charm (and frustration).

That's why I love Hurtigruten's voyages. They're a window into a new world filled with Arctic life, culture and coastlines of unbridled beauty. Even without auroras, they make for an unforgettable adventure. I joined the southbound North Cape Signature Voyage, sailing from Tromsø to Oslo, which meant spending several nights above the Arctic Circle. Being this far north increases your chances of seeing the northern lights; for me it did. And in spectacular fashion at that.

No ordinary cruise

Cruising has never really been my thing — at least, not the usual kind of cruising. I'm not drawn to floating resorts with thousands of passengers, 24/7 entertainment, or whistle-stop tours that leave little time to breathe.

My idea of a perfect voyage is quieter, one that doesn't just give you a taste of a country but lets you truly experience it. Hurtigruten offers that and so very much more.

A couple of years ago, I joined Hurtigruten's Astronomy Voyage along Norway's coast. It was a ship full of skywatchers and brilliant lecturers too, as onboard astronomer Tom Kerss turned the northern lights into a living lesson on space weather. I savored every minute of it, and ever since, I've wanted to experience Norway's coast again.

So, when I heard about the company's new Signature Voyage, I couldn't wait to see how it compared.

The Signature Voyage lets you stay longer at each port, giving you more time to explore on shore or join guided excursions. It also offers a more in-depth onboard experience, with a larger expedition team leading lectures, tastings and workshops, creating a hands-on connection to the culture and nature around you.

Like the Astronomy Voyage, it's a breathtaking journey, one that doesn't just give you a window into Norwegian life, but lets you live it. Waking up to a different view each morning, from snow-capped mountains and rolling hills to dramatic fjords and tiny islands peppering the landscape, there wasn't a bad view or a dull moment aboard.

The first night: The sky teases us

It's day one of my latest voyage, and we leave Tromsø under low clouds wrapped around the mountains like a knitted hat. The MS Trollfjord hums north through crisp Arctic air. That night, a few of us paced around on deck, scanning the skies for a faint milky band of light — the first sign that something might be stirring in the Arctic sky.

Then, out of nowhere, a substorm arrives. It seems to tear a hole in the cloud just wide enough to give us aurora hunters a glimpse of the show unfolding above. A thin band of green light snakes across the sky, then suddenly begins to dance, swirling overhead and reaching down to offer us a cosmic handshake and welcome us to the Arctic. A fitting reward for those who had waited patiently out on deck.

By the time the announcement of the show comes over the tannoy and the rest of the passengers rush out after changing into coats and boots, the best of the burst is already fading. Within a minute, it's gone. The cloud rolls back in and the snow takes hold once more.

North Cape: A taste of the north (Day 2)

At Honningsvåg, the Arctic wind slaps awake any illusions of softness as we look out over the serene winter wilderness. I join a small group of adventurers from the Signature Voyage for an ATV ride up toward the North Cape. The ground is dusted with snow and the otherworldly terrain makes us feel like we're driving through a majestic painting.

The weather changes every three minutes. Sideways hail, flurries of snow, a splash of rain. The only constant is the roaring wind.

At the North Cape, you truly feel like you've reached the edge of the world. It's the northernmost point of mainland Europe, a place where weather and emotions seem to converge. It's a must-visit for anyone who ventures this far north.

That evening, as we prepare to set sail, I notice a few stars in a break in the clouds. Good enough for me. Sure enough, a small window opens and a subtle aurora appears. Almost as soon as it did, the modest show began to be shut down by clouds. Hail arrives like a hostile encore.

I retreat to the bar, where there's live music and a low buzz of happy chatter.

Alta: the city of the northern lights (Day 3)

High above the Arctic Circle, Alta is known as the "city of the northern lights," a place where auroras often dance overhead for the 21,000 who call Alta their home. As we approach, morning begins to break and Alta's shoreline flickers with houselights glowing like candles.

This morning, we're headed to the Northern Lights Cathedral, a striking building with a large spiraling structure and titanium-clad tiles covering the exterior. Consecrated on Feb. 10, 2013, the cathedral was inspired by the meandering waves of auroras and how they dance in the sky. Inside, we join a guided tour to learn more about the interesting architecture and (very well thought-out) design.

From there, we head to Alta's rock art, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1985. The carvings and paintings, some dating back as far as 7,000 years, depict fishing, hunting, rituals and moments of daily life. There are even some geometric shapes with no known resemblance to anything we find on Earth today — perhaps these are some prehistoric doodles? I find myself tracing the shapes with my eyes, trying to decipher the stories they tell. Yet, none depicted the aurora. I find it surprising, considering how common they are in this part of the world and how iconic they are to the landscape today.

Later that night, the sky is cruel. A blanket of thick clouds smothers the sky. People slip in and out of the bar to test the weather, hoping for just a glimpse of the stars beyond. Phone alerts buzz with aurora activity, but all we see is clouds. I take a photo anyway and the result is a green sea of clouds, a wicked reminder of what we're missing.

It's hard not to be disappointed at times like this, but when you're chasing auroras, you're at the whim of nature. And tonight, nature said no thank you.

Instead, we sit together with new friends, imagining the show that might be playing out above the clouds and talking over our day in Alta. I tell a few passengers that up here, Kp index — a scale from 0 to 9 that measures how disturbed Earth's magnetic field is, the higher the number, the stronger the northern lights — don't matter as much as clear skies. The solar wind's been strong, Earth's magnetic field is primed. If the clouds lift tomorrow, it could be our night.

Narvik: Snow flurries and an aurora show to remember (Day 4)

We slide into Narvik under a sky that can't seem to make up its mind. Sitting in the lounge, the panoramic windows frame a serene scene: gulls looking for their next meal, a working harbor and a rain shower that doesn't quite commit. The Arctic Train takes us along rugged mountainsides, and with every passing minute, the season changes. It's a truly stunning ride, where autumn fades into winter almost in the blink of an eye. At the top, we step out into powder snow at least two feet deep, a stark contrast to the mild, rain-soaked landscape we'd left below. We learn about the Ofoten Line, built to carry iron ore through the wild terrain, before beginning our descent. On the way back down, the crew handed out warm cinnamon buns, exactly what we all needed.

That evening, I enjoyed an exquisite dinner at Røst, the ship's fine dining restaurant. Each of the five courses is a story, ingredients drawn from the Norwegian coast and served with a smile and an interesting insight into the inspiration behind each plate.

But I couldn't fully relax, I still had one eye on the aurora forecast and another on the radar satellite imagery telling me we were heading towards some relatively clear skies. I had a peek outside. I spotted a telltale sign of something stirring as a milky green band whipped across the sky. This was it. I ran downstairs, donned my warm clothes and dashed back out on deck, camera in hand. It didn't take long for the deck to turn into a tiny festival, gasps, cheers and the soft click of a hundred shutters. The faint green band grows brighter, stretching across the sky and dancing to the whims of Earth's magnetic field. Then comes the color. The waxing and waning of the substorm conditions fuel auroras all night, keeping us spellbound for hours.

The atmosphere is one of pure joy. Sometimes it's loud, awe-inspiring and exciting. Other times it's hushed as people take it all in and use the moment to reflect. People compare the shapes to animals. I see a chameleon with a long curling tail; someone else swears they can see a whale. Some stand there speechless, attempting to take it all in.

Near midnight, I retreat to my cabin, open the blinds and lie in bed watching the green curtains flicker and ripple through the sky. It's surreal, auroras from under a duvet.

The days that followed

Narvik set the bar impossibly high, but the days that followed were no less special.

We drifted south through fjords brushed with morning light, past the Seven Sisters, with the sunlight finally warming our faces. The coming days were filled with interesting lectures on whales to navigation, cooking demonstrations out on deck and craft sessions where wool and conversations intertwined.

At Åndalsnes, I took the gondola up the mountain. The view that greeted me left me utterly speechless. I walked for several hours, pausing often to take in the way the light shifted across the landscape. The unrivalled beauty of that place will stay with me forever.

The remaining evenings were cloudy and, as we ventured further south, the chances of northern lights dimmed. So, instead of racing out on deck every five minutes to see if we could catch a glimpse, we relaxed in the bar and enjoyed each other's company, reminiscing about the unforgettable night of vibrant aurora activity and sharing plans for future adventures.

When I needed a moment of quiet, I found it in the sauna, its floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Norwegian coast like a painting that won't stay still. I followed the view with an ice-cold shower, just to let the Arctic in one last time.

So, is an aurora cruise right for you?

If you're looking for a floating city, this isn't it. But if you crave authenticity and a voyage that lets you see, taste and experience the coastline, then absolutely, this is the voyage for you.

Life aboard the MS Trollfjord is very special indeed.

As fellow passenger Louise Capp from California told me, "The journey is the destination with Hurtigruten. The camaraderie that develops on the aurora cruise is the best part of the cruise." Capp went on to describe seeing the northern lights as "both awesome and magical. I felt alone in the universe; and I also felt deeply connected to my fellow stargazers".

That feeling of shared wonder echoed again and again with everyone I spoke to. Art Killian, from Illinois, put it perfectly, "the Northern Lights! We'd met before, in photos … but on that chilly October night in the Norwegian fjords, they reached right out and shook our hand! Thanks to the remarkable crew of the MS Trollfjord, and the insight and guidance of our adopted pal, Daisy Dobrijevic, we saw them the way they need to be seen … wild, unpredictable, gorgeous and fleeting."

For Bob Miller from Illinois, the entire experience was both overwhelming and humbling. "Norway's coast is unique and ruggedly beautiful. The northern lights were stunning in their behavior and hints of color that technology only enhanced. Staring at them for over an hour was more than what I expected and really more than my mind could process. The universe amazed me yet again."

And Rose Miller, from Illinois, summed up what so many of us felt by the end of the voyage, "the fjords were immense and amazing to see. The cities and towns are so pretty and clean and the people are so very nice. The topper was seeing the northern lights. They were just truly stunning and left you awestruck."

Hurtigruten's Signature Voyage offers time to explore, reflect and share the deck with other like-minded individuals in pursuit of something truly remarkable, the northern lights.

I came for the northern lights but found so much more. The crew made everything effortless and the ship became a bubble of warmth and good energy. Days were as full or as quiet as you needed them to be.

One night may give you the lights, but it's everything in between — the waiting, the wonder, the laughter — that makes the journey unforgettable.

Editor's note: This article was made possible by travel provided by Hurtigruten

Those living in North America, including the U.S., Canada and Mexico, were treated to a skywatching spectacle recently as the northern lights shone throughout the evening of November 11. These auroras blazed farther south than usual, due to a severe geomagnetic storm spawned by powerful solar eruptions.

What is it?

A coronal mass ejection (CME) is a solar eruption that sends a huge cloud of solar plasma hurtling into space. They're often associated with solar flares — intense blasts of radiation — and occur near sunspots, which are areas of strong magnetic fields on the solar surface.

CMEs can affect our planet: Plasma clouds that strike Earth can spawn powerful geomagnetic storms, which can in turn affect power grids, radio communications and satellite navigation systems — and supercharge the auroras, as this one did.

Where is it?

This composite image was captured by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System's (JPSS) polar-orbiting satellites.

Why is it amazing?

This stunning event was triggered by a severe G4-class geomagnetic storm, one of the strongest in recent years, caused by a CME that slammed into Earth's magnetic field. The impact supercharged the planet's magnetosphere, allowing charged solar particles to penetrate deeper into the atmosphere than usual. As a result, the aurora borealis —typically confined to polar regions — was seen across the continental U.S., including in states like Texas, Arizona and even parts of Mexico. The skies erupted in vibrant waves of green, pink and purple, captured in breathtaking photos by stargazers and photographers across the continent.

Using both visible and infrared wavelengths, the NOAA satellites were able to capture the hotspots of auroral activity, showing where across North America the auroras were seen.

Want to learn more?

You can learn more about the northern lights and solar flares.

The northern lights could still be visible tonight (Nov. 13-14) as lingering effects from recent solar eruptions continue to ripple through Earth's magnetic field.

Minor (G1) to strong (G3) geomagnetic storm conditions are still possible throughout the evening hours, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. A G3 storm watch remains in effect today with a gradual return to quieter space weather expected by Friday, according to the U.K. Met Office

While geomagnetic activity is slowly subsiding, the current forecast still shows a good chance of auroras in parts of the northern U.S.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 10 U.S. states appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. Washington
3. Idaho
4. Montana
5. North Dakota
6. South Dakota
7. Minnesota
8. Wisconsin
9. Michigan
10. Maine

As always, keep in mind that auroras are not guaranteed. Sometimes they appear farther south than forecast and sometimes not at all. Many conditions have to align for a good display, including cloud cover, light pollution and the strength of the geomagnetic disturbance.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for auroras tonight?

The northern lights could be visible across 10 U.S. states (or maybe more) tonight (Nov. 13-14) as soon as it gets dark, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky throughout the evening, especially in areas with clear, dark skies.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be highest earlier on in the night, with the best chances of auroras during the following key times:

• 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. EST (2100-0000 GMT): Strong G3 storm levels possible
• 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST (0000-0300 GMT): Minor G1 storm levels possible

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you live in one of the 10 U.S. states forecasted to catch a glimpse of the northern lights tonight, there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

• Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the horizon as far from light pollution as possible.
• Use your phone camera to scan the sky, as the camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of the direction you should be focusing your attention.
• Try to let your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes; this will help your night vision develop.
• Wear warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won't want to miss the show when it starts!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings. Our guide on how to photograph auroras is designed to help you capture the moment with a breathtaking photo.

Editor's Note: If you snap a photo of the northern lights or southern lights and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

Editor's note: The northern lights put on yet another good show last night for lucky skywatchers across the U.S. Although geomagnetic activity is beginning to subside, there could still be a chance to spot auroras from 10 U.S. states tonight (Nov. 13-14).

Ready for round two, aurora chasers?

The northern lights may dazzle again tonight (Nov. 12) as a speedy incoming coronal mass ejection (CME) released during yesterday's colossal X5.1 class solar flare could spark strong to severe geomagnetic storm conditions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Space weather forecasters anticipate that geomagnetic activity could intensify to strong (G3) or even severe (G4) conditions overnight. The U.K. Met Office is going one step further and assigning an extreme G5 watch for between 7 a.m. EST and 6:59 p.m. EST (12:00 - 23:59 GMT) on Nov. 12.

Last night's display triggered by two previous CME impacts was absolutely stunning, with auroras spotted from coast to coast and even as far south as Mexico. Check out some of the best photos here in our wrap.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 17 U.S. states appear full or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. Washington
3. North Dakota
4. Montana
5. Minnesota
6. Idaho
7. South Dakota
8. Wisconsin
9. Oregon
10. Michigan
11. Vermont
12. New Hampshire
13. Wyoming
14. New York
15. Iowa
16. Nebraska
17. Illinois

As always, auroras can be fickle creatures. This list is based on current forecast data, but with geomagnetic activity still strong and another CME on the way, auroras could reach much farther south than expected — potentially visible across much of the U.S. if the conditions are right and the skies are clear.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights could be visible across 17 U.S. states (or maybe more) tonight (Nov. 12-13) as soon as it gets dark, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky throughout the evening, especially in areas with clear, dark skies.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to stay high throughout the night, with the best chances of auroras during the following key times:

• 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST (0000-0300 GMT): Strong G3 level storming possible
• 10 p.m. - 4 a.m. EST (0300–0900 GMT): Moderate G2 level storming possible

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you live in one of the 17 U.S. states forecasted to catch a glimpse of the northern lights tonight, there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

• Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the horizon as far from light pollution as possible.
• Use your phone camera to scan the sky, as the camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of the direction you should be focusing your attention.
• Try to let your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes; this will help your night vision develop.
• Wear warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won't want to miss the show when it starts!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.

Editor's Note: If you snap a photo of the northern lights or southern lights and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

A severe (G4) geomagnetic storm lit up skies across the Northern Hemisphere overnight (Nov. 11-12), with vivid northern lights visible across Canada, the U.S, and as far south as Mexico.

The incredible display followed the arrival of multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — eruptions of magnetic field and plasma from the sun — launched by sunspot AR4274, one of the most energetic sunspot groups of the current solar cycle. The ongoing storm ranks among the strongest of Solar Cycle 25 and last night's peak at G4 clocked in as the third strongest geomagnetic storm this solar cycle. The first two CMEs struck in quick succession last night, compressing Earth's magnetic field and unleashing spectacular aurora shows that lasted well into the night.

But the show might not be over yet! A third, faster CME, released during an X5.1 solar flare yesterday (Nov. 11), is still on the way, with NOAA and the U.K. Met Office forecasting another possible round of strong (G3) to severe (G4) conditions tonight (Nov. 12-13). If it arrives as predicted, we could even see extreme (G5) conditions, potentially pushing auroras even farther south than last night. As such, auroras may be visible in 17 (or more) US states tonight!

In the meantime, while we wait to see what tonight's space weather has in store, let's sit back and enjoy some of the best aurora photos from last night's activity, captured by skywatchers across North America and Europe.

Photographer Ross Harried captured this colorful aurora spectacle lighting up the skies above Monroe, Wisconsin last night.

Harried also captured this stunning photograph of the northern lights illuminating a rural scene.

Strong geomagnetic storms like the one that unfolded last night can be problematic for those relying on GPS services, such as farmers.

Harried also captured this beautiful photograph showing the northern lights dancing over farmland in Monroe, Wisconsin.

Photographer Jeremy Hogan captured this vivid red aurora show lighting up the skies above Bloomington, Indiana, as the severe geomagnetic storm unfolded last night.

Space.com's spaceflight writer Josh Dinner also captured the stunning show unfolding over Bloomington, Indiana.

"Like a truly distracted space journalist, I had completely forgotten to check the aurora forecast. I had also forgotten to take my trash to the street for trash day. So at about 10 p.m. EST I went outside to drag my cans to the curb, looked up, and my jaw dropped." Dinner said. "It's rare for us to get aurora in Indiana. I ran back inside to grab my camera and shot this from my backyard. It would be great (for sky watching) if the sun kept this up indefinitely."

Skywatchers at China Camp State Park, California, take in the stunning view in this photo captured by photographer Stephen Lam.

A wide field shot shows the extent of the aurora display above China Camp State Park, California.

Greg Gage captured some stunning photos of the northern lights dancing in the skies above Sistersville, West Virginia.

Skywatchers also took to X to post some truly remarkable photos and timelapses of the aurora shows that unfolded last night.

X user @plumazulibre posted this incredible shot of the northern lights appearing over Zacatecas, Mexico!

Meanwhile, red auroras were visible on a webcam overlooking the Austrian Alps.

Aurora chaser Jure Atanackov was rewarded with a beautiful displays over Medvedje Brdo, Slovenia.

"Beautiful also with the naked eye, with many distinct rays. The best aurora display of the year for me, better than the Jan 1st, 2025 G4." Atanackov wrote in a post on X.

Jack Straw captured these eerie red auroras over northern California.

While X user @kkvolt saw a vibrant red display, along with overhead corona, from northern Minnesota.

Photojournalist Kent Porter also captured the eerie red scene unfolding over the Timber Crest Farms barn, Healdsburg, Northern California.

Aurora chaser Jeremy Rand captured some stunning footage of the northern lights stretching across the sky above Southern Manitoba, Canada. Rand had to look south to capture the display!

Photographer Max Evans captured the northern lights display from Florida's Space Coast.

Remember, you might get another chance of seeing the northern lights tonight, so keep those camera batteries charged and your eyes on the skies!

Editor's Note: If you snap a photo of the northern lights or southern lights and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

Editor's note: Wow, the northern lights put on a stunning display last night with auroras reported as far south as Mexico! See the best photos here in our wrap story. Conditions are also looking promising tonight as we await the third CME impact. Check out our most recent article with the latest forecast and list of states that could see auroras tonight.

Heads up aurora chasers! The northern lights could put on a spectacular show tonight (Nov. 11-12) as two incoming coronal mass ejections (CMEs) may spark geomagnetic storm conditions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Space weather forecasters anticipate that geomagnetic activity may intensify to strong (G3) conditions overnight.

The first CME, launched on Nov.9, is forecast to reach Earth late tonight, closely followed by a second CME that erupted yesterday. A third CME released during a colossal X5.1 solar flare, the biggest solar flare of 2025, is currently hurtling toward Earth and could also hit Earth on Nov. 12, according to NOAA. Impact from this CME is predicted for around 7 a.m. EST (1200 GMT). NOAA has since issued a G4 storm watch for Nov. 12.

Where can I see the northern lights tonight?

States that could see auroras tonight

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 21 U.S. States appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Montana
5. Wisconsin
6. Michigan
7. Maine
8. South Dakota
9. Idaho
10. Vermont
11. Washington
12. New Hampshire
13. Wyoming
14. New York
15. Iowa
16. Massachusetts
17. Pennsylvania
18. Nebraska
19. Ohio
20. Illinois
21. Indiana

But remember, auroras are fickle; sometimes they appear much farther south than predicted, and other times they barely show up at all. Many conditions have to align for the perfect display.

Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office

What time should I look for auroras tonight?

The northern lights could be visible across 21 U.S. states tonight (Nov. 11-12) as soon as it gets dark, so it's worth keeping an eye on the sky throughout the evening, especially in areas with clear, dark skies and minimal light pollution.

According to NOAA's 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to stay high with the best chances of auroras during the following key times tonight:

• 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST (2100-0300 GMT): Minor (G1) to moderate (G2) storm levels possible.
• 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. EST (0300-0600 GMT): Strong (G3) storm levels possible.

How can I see the northern lights from where I live?

If you live in one of the 21 U.S. states forecast to catch a glimpse of the northern lights tonight, there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

• Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the horizon as far from light pollution as possible.
• Use your phone camera to scan the sky as the camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of the direction you should be focusing your attention.
• Try to let your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes; this will help your night vision develop.
• Wear warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won't want to miss the show when it starts!

We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.