For reference, the northern lights (aurora borealis) are a result of geomagnetic storms, which occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth\u2019s<\/a> atmosphere, creating brilliant waves of light in the sky.<\/p>\n However, a minor G1 geomagnetic storm remains possible, with a chance of a stronger G2 event if lingering solar material finally arrives.<\/p>\n Still, the forecast remains uncertain as several coronal mass ejections could have merged in space into one \u201ccannonball CME\u201d event, though the UK Met Office<\/a> now says impact is unlikely.<\/p>\n In the meantime, read on for everything you need to know about this stellar event.<\/p>\n When will the northern lights be visible? The northern lightsCredit: Getty<\/p>\n If solar activity picks up, look up after the sky goes dark!<\/p>\n Still, given the low-level magnitude of this forecast it\u2019s best to check NOAA\u2019s short-term<\/a> aurora map before heading outisde.<\/p>\n Where will the northern lights be visible?<\/p>\n A G1 storm would mostly favor Alaska and the northern tier of the U.S., including parts of North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Washington, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and South Dakota.<\/p>\n However, a surprise G2 could theoretically stretch the view south toward Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, but you can treat this list as a \u201cmaybe,\u201d not a promise, per NOAA<\/a>.<\/p>\n How to watch the northern lights? Northern lightsCredit: Getty<\/p>\n Auroras are surprisingly faint to the naked eye at first, especially during weaker geomagnetic storms, so dark skies make all the difference!<\/p>\n Patience matters, too! After all, auroral activity can fluctuate quickly, sometimes appearing as a faint glow before suddenly erupting into visible ribbons or waves of green light.Remember to also keep tabs on real-time conditions using NOAA\u2019s 30-minute aurora forecast<\/a> and space-weather apps that track solar wind and magnetic field changes.<\/p>\n How to photograph the northern lights?<\/p>\n If you\u2019re using a smartphone, switch to night mode or long exposure mode and hold the camera as still as possible \u2014 ideally with a tripod or by propping it against something stable. You\u2019ll want to keep your setup as steady as possible, since the auroras are best captured with long exposures.<\/p>\n All you have to do is head to your device\u2019s settings and tap the \u201cnight mode\u201d option or \u201cpro mode,\u201d which offers similar exposure times.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/88f3c7ac-4460-4281-a36f-bae052005a3d.jpg\"\/)
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