I never thought I’d be able to catch the aurora borealis without hopping on a flight to Iceland or Alaska but tonight, it’s happening right here at home.
Thanks to a rare solar storm, the Northern Lights could be visible across 18 U.S. states on Aug. 7 and 8, stretching from Alaska and Montana all the way to New York and even Illinois. NOAA says the show is caused by a coronal mass ejection and a high-speed solar wind stream hitting Earth, and if the skies stay clear, we’re in for a colorful, dancing light display.
My plan? Find a dark, north-facing spot far from city lights, bundle up, and keep my eyes on the horizon. The best chance is around 2 a.m., but since solar storms can be unpredictable, I’ll be checking throughout the night.
If I pull this off, it might just be the most magical travel moment I’ve had without even leaving the country.
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