"Northern Lights Set to Illuminate 17 States Amid Solar Storm"

A solar storm forecast for Thursday is expected to make the Northern Lights visible in 17 American states, including Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and more. The lights, also known as aurora borealis, are typically seen in Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia, but the current 11-year solar cycle is making them visible in more southern locations. Skygazers are advised to get away from city lights and the best viewing times are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. The lights occur when a magnetic solar wind interacts with the Earth's magnetic field, causing atoms in the upper atmosphere to glow.