The Northern Lights May Be Visible in Parts of Maine This Week

Parts of Maine may be within range of the best light show on earth.

A rare spacey sight may spill into the lower 48 this week. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a coronal mass ejection is forecast to reach earth February 1 into 2, 2022. With the arrival of the charged particles from the sun comes the chance for the aurora borealis to been seen in parts of Maine.

Northern Maine has the best chance to see the northern lights, but the solar storm may be strong enough to extend the light show further south. For the best viewing, find a dark location away from any light pollution. The green glow of the aurora borealis will likely be low on the horizon. Stronger storms produce more colors and can stretch across the night sky.

Forbes says if the light show is hindered by clouds, there's still opportunities to see the northern lights. The current solar cycle is on the rise, meaning the frequency of coronal mass ejections and solar flares is increasing.

The aurora borealis is caused by ejections of charged particles colliding into our atmosphere and are pulled to the Earth's magnetic poles. As they travel through the atmosphere they emit energy in the form of light. NOAA gives a more in depth explanation here.