NEED TO KNOW
\nA strong geomagnetic storm could spark auroras in up to 24 U.S. states overnight Monday, Jan. 19, into early Tuesday, Jan. 20, according to NOAA forecasts
An Earth-directed coronal mass ejection from an X1.9 solar flare is expected to impact Earth\u2019s magnetic field, potentially triggering G3 to G4 storm conditions
Clear skies following the new moon could make this event especially photogenic, with cameras capturing colors not visible to the naked eye<\/p>\n
Look up, because the sky\u2019s about to put on a show!<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve ever wanted to witness (or photograph) the northern lights without leaving the U.S., this could be your moment.\n<\/p>\n
The aurora borealis (northern lights) is caused by geomagnetic storms, which occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s<\/a> atmosphere, creating brilliant waves of light in the sky. Still, their visibility depends on several factors, including intensity and location.\n<\/p>\n A surge of intense solar activity arrives just in time for January\u2019s<\/a> dark winter skies, setting the stage for auroras to push unusually far south across the country tonight, Jan. 19 and into the early hours of Tuesday, Jan. 20, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s Space Weather Prediction Center.\n<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t a subtle glow reserved for the Arctic Circle. This is a rare, high-impact space weather event<\/a> that could bring auroras to mid-latitude regions just as the night sky reaches its darkest point.\n<\/p>\n According to NOAA<\/a> forecasters, Earth is bracing for a strong to potentially severe geomagnetic storm as charged solar particles slam into our planet\u2019s magnetic field.<\/p>\n The trigger? A massive X1.9-class solar flare erupted from the sun, followed by an Earth-directed full halo (CME) coronal mass ejection, the kind that significantly increases the odds of intense auroral activity.\n<\/p>\n