Geomagnetic Storm to Expand Northern Lights Visibility Across Northern U.S.
A geomagnetic storm is expected to enhance the visibility of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, across parts of the United States this weekend. Typically visible in regions like Alaska and northern Canada, the lights may extend into the northern tier of the continental U.S. due to heightened solar activity. The best chances for viewing are in states such as Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. If the storm intensifies, the aurora could be visible as far south as Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, releasing energy as light. The event is driven by a high-speed stream of solar wind from a coronal hole on the sun. 
