The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are colorful lights that appear in the night sky near the north pole. They happen when solar winds hurl charged particles from the sun into the Earth’s atmosphere and the Earth’s powerful magnetic forces pull these particles towards the poles. The gases in the Earth’s atmosphere come in contact with these solar particles and emit light, creating pretty colors like green, pink, purple, and blue. You can usually see them in the winter, and they can look like glowing curtains or waves but due to increased solar activity, much of the United States was able to view them on October 10th. Tonight, Friday, October 11th, you may get another chance to see them. The best time to view them is
as it becomes dark. So be on the lookout for a light show like no other!
