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The University of Alaska Fairbanks predicts the northern lights will be visible across multiple U.S. states this week.
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On Wednesday and Thursday, the Kp-index will reach five and six respectively, indicating a geomagnetic storm.
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Potential sightings of the aurora borealis include Washington, Idaho, Vermont, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Maryland, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Maine.
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On Wednesday, the storm will be visible low on the horizon from Seattle, Des Moines, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, and Halifax.
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By Thursday, the storm will intensify and can be observed overhead in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Bay City, Mich., and on the horizon in Salem, Mass.; Boise, Idaho; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Lincoln, Neb.; Indianapolis, and Annapolis, Md.
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During a geomagnetic storm, high winds from coronal holes on the sun trigger coronal mass ejections (CMEs), projecting plasma and magnetic field pieces into the atmosphere.
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CMEs can take several days or as short as 18 hours to reach Earth.
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Auroras occur when the Earth's magnetic field is temporarily pulled away due to strong solar disturbances, creating powerful ripples called Alfvén waves.
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Electrons riding these waves reach speeds up to 45 million mph before colliding with molecules in Earth's upper atmosphere, resulting in excited states and the release of light.
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To view the aurora, find a location with minimal light pollution, consider higher elevations, check for cloud coverage, and scan the skies in all directions. The best viewing times are typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. No special equipment is required.