The Northern Lights may appear in the skies of U.S. states tonight, September 4, if you're lucky

If you're lucky, tonight, you could catch a glimpse of one of the most stunning natural phenomena our planet has to offer; the Northern Lights.

Auroras may appear in the skies of northern U.S. states tonight, September 4, if you're lucky
© Getty/Arctic-Images
Auroras may appear in the skies of northern U.S. states tonight, September 4, if you're lucky

In light of a massive solar storm, some northern US states might get the chance of witnessing the beautiful Aurora Borealis.

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Geomagnetic storm

The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a statement saying that a moderate-strength geomagnetic storm would be likely to happen. As a result, this could trigger a beautifully coloured night sky, also known as Northern or Southern lights, as they typically take place in the North and South poles.

However, this will largely depend on whether or not the geomagnetic storm is strong enough to cause the dancing lights to take place in these northern US states. Another factor to consider is whether skies will be clear enough to allow the lights to shine through. The SWPC has said that if the storm is strong enough, the auroras will be visible from as low as New York and Idaho.

How to capture the lights with a camera

If you are lucky enough to be able to witness the beautifully-lit night sky, then you might want to follow these tips if you are planning to take some snaps. Make sure your camera allows the user to control f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO values manually as this will optimize the quality of the pictures you take.

It is also wise to invest in a tripod and extra batteries as long exposures will most likely be required.

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