A powerful solar storm is heading toward Earth—and it could bring the northern lights to parts of the U.S. where they’re rarely seen. Thanks to a burst of solar activity earlier this week, skywatchers across a wide swath of the country may be in for a surprise light show Tuesday night.

What’s Causing the Buzz?

The sun released several coronal mass ejections—essentially huge eruptions of solar plasma and energy—that triggered a geomagnetic storm watch from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. If conditions are just right, these bursts could interact with Earth’s magnetic field and produce vibrant aurora displays well beyond their usual range.

Where You Might See the Lights

The auroras, typically reserved for high latitudes, could dip farther south than usual. Here’s where the northern lights might be visible:

• High likelihood: Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine
• Possible viewing: Northern parts of Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania

Why Are Auroras So Active Right Now?

We’re currently in the peak of the sun’s 11-year activity cycle, which means more frequent and widespread auroras. According to NOAA’s Shawn Dahl, this solar storm activity could continue on and off throughout the year.

Last spring, the strongest geomagnetic storm in 20 years created dazzling displays across the Northern Hemisphere. Even areas like New York City, the U.K., and Germany caught glimpses of the phenomenon.

“This is going to kind of continue off and on throughout the year,” said Dahl.

What Else Do Solar Storms Do?

While auroras are beautiful, solar storms can pack a punch:

• Disrupt power grids
• Scramble GPS and radio communications
• Affect satellites and air traffic control systems

Extreme events in history include an 1859 storm that caused telegraph fires and auroras visible as far south as Hawaii, and a 1972 storm that may have triggered magnetic sea mines off the coast of Vietnam.

Unfortunately, space weather isn’t something we can forecast far in advance. Warnings usually come just a few days before impact.

How to Spot the Northern Lights

Want to catch the show? Here are a few quick tips:

• Check the forecast: Visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center or use an aurora-tracking app.
• Find dark skies: Head to a location away from city lights—think local parks or nature reserves.
• Watch the clouds: A clear sky is key; even faint auroras can be blocked by cloud cover.
• Use your phone: Sometimes your smartphone camera can pick up colors and details you can’t see with the naked eye.

“Enjoy it,” said NASA’s Kelly Korreck. “It’s this great show… from the sun to you.”

Source: AP News – A strong solar storm heads to Earth. Here’s what to know about northern lights

The post Northern Lights May Be Visible in More U.S. States Tonight appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

A total lunar eclipse will paint the moon a deep red this Thursday night into Friday morning, visible across much of the Western Hemisphere. North and South America will have the best views, though parts of Africa and Europe may also catch a glimpse.

What Is a Lunar Eclipse?

Lunar eclipses occur when the moon, Earth, and sun align just perfectly. During this alignment, the Earth casts its shadow on the moon, blocking the sun’s light.

• In a partial lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow makes it look like a bite has been taken out of the moon.
• In a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon is covered by Earth’s shadow and takes on a coppery red hue. This red color is the result of sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere and scattering in a way that casts a reddish glow on the moon.

Lunar and solar eclipses occur between four to seven times a year, according to NASA. The last total lunar eclipse happened in 2022, and a partial eclipse was visible across parts of the Americas, Africa, and Europe last September.

How to See the Total Lunar Eclipse

For those in North and South America, the total lunar eclipse will be visible from 2:26 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday morning, with peak viewing at approximately 3 a.m. Eastern Time. The phenomenon will last for about an hour.

The best part? You don’t need any special equipment or eclipse glasses to see it—just go outside and look up. According to Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, “As long as the sky is clear, you should be able to see it.”

However, the moon’s setting could make it harder to spot the eclipse in Europe and parts of Africa. This total lunar eclipse is primarily a North and South American event, according to Michael Faison, an astronomy expert from Yale University.

Missed it? Don’t worry—mark your calendar for Sept. 7, when the next total lunar eclipse will be visible across parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. If you’re in the Americas, your next chance will be in March 2026.

A Brief History of Lunar Eclipses

Lunar eclipses have fascinated civilizations for thousands of years, with many cultures interpreting them in unique ways. According to Zoe Ortiz, a historian at the University of North Texas, ancient peoples observed the night sky with remarkable clarity.

One of the most famous historical observations came from Aristotle, who noted that the shadow cast by Earth on the moon during a lunar eclipse was always curved. This evidence helped prove that the Earth is round.

In ancient Mesopotamia, people saw the red moon as an ominous sign for the king. To protect their ruler from any bad fate, they installed a substitute king during the eclipse. Ortiz jokes, “If there’s ever a movie plot, that’s the one.”

Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or simply curious about nature’s wonders, this total lunar eclipse is an opportunity not to be missed!

Source

The post Watch the Moon Turn Red During March’s Total Lunar Eclipse appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.