BOSTON - Get ready, Massachusetts!

The spectacular northern lights may once again brighten our skies tonight and Friday night, as per the latest aurora forecast that suggests a significant display is on the horizon. It seems New England is in competition with Iceland for breathtaking celestial views!

In recent months, the sun has entered an extraordinarily active phase, unleashing a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that have captivated skywatchers across the region. This past week has marked one of the most vibrant phases we've seen in years, with reports of auroras lighting up the New England skies. Although the geomagnetic storm that brought those spectacular sightings has started to settle, we are not yet out of luck.

Just a couple of days ago, another formidable CME erupted, courtesy of a massive sunspot (AR3848) that was perfectly aligned with Earth.

The National Weather Service has just issued a "Severe G4 Geomagnetic Storm Watch" for both Thursday and Friday nights. This upcoming event could rival the breathtaking displays we experienced back on May 10th.

Space weather models concur that this swift-moving CME will hit Earth’s atmosphere tonight, potentially lasting up to 12 hours! While there are never any guarantees with nature, everything indicates that the chances are as close to certain as they can be—predictions put our odds at witnessing the auroras at an impressive level.

What Creates the Northern Lights?

Meteorologist Jacob Wycoff explained that the captivating colors of the aurora borealis stem from electrons that interact with our atmosphere. The altitude of this interaction and the elements involved determine the vivid colors we see lighting up the sky.

The activity level of geomagnetic storms is measured by the "K index," and for New England, we typically need a K index of 7 or more to catch a glimpse of the auroras. The forecast for tonight, however, skyrockets to a K index between 8 to 9—right near the maximum!

If the predicted geomagnetic storm strikes as expected, observers in a variety of locations might spot auroras, possibly as far south as Texas. Residents across the northern United States are in for an exciting night, especially if conditions remain favorable.

Fortunately, the weather looks promising! Any clouds that may linger are expected to dissipate post-sunset, leaving us with clear skies—a perfect backdrop for this celestial performance across New England.

Pro Tips for Viewing:

For the best experience, find a spot that is free of artificial light to avoid any interference with viewings. An unobstructed line of sight toward the northern horizon will yield the best results.

And hey, if you manage to capture any stunning photos of this natural wonder, we’d love to share them! Feel free to send them over!

Bonus Cosmic News: Sun Blast May Have Impacted Comet’s Tail!

In other astronomical news, a recent image from the SOHO spacecraft, currently tasked with observing solar events, caught an unbelievable moment showcasing both the massive CME and Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. Scientists believe that the powerful solar eruption could have stripped part of the comet's tail! As we await the comet's return this weekend, we’ll see how its appearance has changed.

Prepare your cameras and eyes for an unforgettable night!