Tonight’s sky is gearing up to be one of the most beautiful yet, so get ready to step outside and look up, stargazers. A rare celestial event is bringing the magical aurora borealis much farther south than usual, offering people across up to 22 states a front-row seat to an incredible natural light show.
A surging geomagnetic storm is lighting up the night sky, giving millions of people who normally miss out on the northern lights a prime opportunity to spot them right from their homes.
When and where to watch the sky
According to forecasts from the Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA), the solar activity is set to kick off around 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 8. If you happen to miss that initial window, don’t worry—scientists expect an even stronger peak in activity around 5 a.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 9.
Should the geomagnetic storm reach G2 levels, the glow could push significantly farther south across the country. That means residents living across 22 northern and mid-tier states will have a genuine shot at witnessing the cosmic display without taking a trip to the Arctic.
How to get the best view of the show
You don’t need fancy, expensive astronomical gear or a high-end camera to capture the magic unfolding overhead. Instead, you just need a few basic skywatching tricks to maximize your chances:
- Escape the light pollution: Head to a dark rural spot far away from city streetlights and bright urban centers, which easily wash out the fainter colors.
- Look North: Find a clear area with an unobstructed view facing toward the northern horizon.
- Use your smartphone: If the aurora looks a bit faint to the naked eye, whip out your phone and switch on Night Mode. Keep your device steady or mount it on a tripod so the camera can gather light and reveal the vivid green and purple hues that standard lenses miss.
The best part about this cosmic event
What is even more interesting about this cosmic light event is you don’t need to run out at the last minute or drive for hours. For millions of people living outside the typical aurora zone, catching this rare celestial spectacle might just require stepping out onto the back porch at the right time tonight.
Sources: Forbes, Men’s Journal, People