(NewsNation) — The aurora borealis could be seen as far south as New York, Wisconsin and Wyoming on Tuesday thanks to a solar storm.
A coronal mass ejection that occurred on Mar. 1 is headed toward Earth, with the potential to spark a geomagnetic storm.
From Tuesday night into Wednesday, the dancing lights may be visible in parts of Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center expects the CME to graze the Earth’s magnetic field and potentially trigger a geomagnetic storm.
A geomagnetic storm happens when charged particles from the sun impact the magnetosphere, causing disruption. That can impact satellite communications and cause power grid fluctuations. It’s also responsible for the colorful lights most frequently seen near the poles.
The storm is also coming just after a new moon, the dark skies giving a better chance of seeing the lights.
The lights are best seen shortly after sunset or before sunrise. To get the best view, head away from ambient city light and find a dark spot to look for the light show.
If you’re having trouble seeing the lights, your phone camera could help. Smartphone cameras can often capture the lights in greater detail than the naked eye.