Northern Lights Visible Across North America After Massive Solar Eruption

Northern Lights Visible , Across North America , After Massive Solar Eruption.

On September 18, skywatchers across the United States and Canada were wowed by brilliant northern lights following a powerful eruption on the sun.

NBC reports that the vivid light show was visible in multiple Western and Midwestern states, from Montana to Minnesota.

The northern lights, otherwise known as the aurora borealis, are the result of charged particles from solar storms interacting with Earth's atmosphere.

Normally, the northern lights are only visible in the night sky at higher latitudes.

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During periods of intense solar activity the aurora borealis can be spotted further south than normal.

The latests auroras were the result of a coronal mass ejection that occurred on September 16.

On September 18, the Aberdeen, South Dakota, branch of the National Weather Service released photos of the auroras.

Similarly, skywatchers in Glasgow, Montana, reported seeing dazzling displays, despite overcast conditions.

NBC reports that the auroras are best viewed from dark locations away from light pollution.

A short-term forecast of the northern lights can be found at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center's aurora dashboard