Don’t Miss Tonight's Northern Lights—How to See the Rare Glow Across 12 States This is when and where to look. Close Credit: Westend61 / Getty Images Key Points Two coronal mass ejections from the sun are expected to trigger increased geomagnetic activity on Tuesday, October 7, potentially leading to visible northern lights across the northern U.S.The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts a G1 to possibly G2 geomagnetic storm, which could make auroras visible in up to 12 states from Alaska to Maine.While the bright supermoon may obscure some visibility, strong geomagnetic activity could still produce vivid auroras—best viewed between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. in dark, north-facing areas away from city lights. The night sky continues to dazzle this month, with the northern lights expected to put on an impressive display on Tuesday, October 7, across the northern U.S. Two coronal mass ejections (an ejection of plasma from the sun's corona) could bring an increased chance of geomagnetic activity—a G1 or possibly G2 storm—producing auroras at high and possibly mid-latitudes, according to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Geomagnetic storms are ranked from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). If activity reaches those levels, auroras could be visible across 12 states, including Alaska and the northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Maine. Don't Miss The Draconid Meteor Shower Will Light Up the Sky This Week—Here's How to See It Look Up! A Newly Discovered Green Comet May Be Visible in the Night Sky This Month Auroras are more abundant during this time of year thanks to the Earth's tilt. However, tonight's auroras might be drowned out by this month's bright supermoon, which peaked on Monday, October 6, but is still very bright. If the geomagnetic activity is strong enough, though, it may produce vibrant auroras that can be seen through the moonlight. If you're in an area with the potential to experience auroras, head out and find a north-facing location with a clear view of the horizon that's as far away from light pollution as possible. According to NOAA, the best time to spot auroras is usually between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Explore more: News Space & Weather News