Conditions appear to be stacking up for an impressive northern lights display over Maine and other northern states Sunday night and into Monday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
A fast-moving burst of solar energy, known as a coronal mass ejection, hit Earth early Sunday morning, disrupting the planet’s magnetic field and triggering a severe geomagnetic storm.
While the disturbance can cause problems for technology, it’s great news for anyone hoping to see the aurora borealis.
Whether the display will be visible in Maine depends on cloud cover. Southern and central Maine are expected to have clear to mostly clear skies Sunday night, while the western and northern parts of the state could see more clouds.
NOAA notes that the aurora doesn’t need to be directly overhead to be seen; it can be visible from as far as 1,000 kilometers away if conditions are right.
For the best viewing, get as far away from any light pollution as possible, and look toward the north.
