**Night Sky Spectacular: Northern Lights May Dazzle Again Friday Night**

If you missed the chance to see the stunning display of red, blue, and purple lights illuminating the night sky on Thursday, another opportunity may arise on Friday night. According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, a strong (G3) Geomagnetic Storm is expected to be visible that evening.

"The underlying phenomenon driving this activity is diminishing as it moves past Earth," explained Shawn Dahl, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center Service Coordinator. He noted this is due to a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is a significant discharge and explosion of solar material and magnetic fields that occurred on October 8th and reached Earth in full force the following morning.

Dahl described the activity as intense, generating severe storm levels throughout the day. For those eager to witness the northern lights, the NOAA prediction center recommends monitoring their website for the latest updates and viewing conditions. While the lights may not be as vibrant as the previous night, many locations across the country might still offer a picturesque view.

The Aurora forecast tracker by the University of Alaska suggests that the northern lights could be visible low on the horizon from cities including Seattle, Des Moines, Chicago, Cleveland, and Boston between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET. Dahl indicated that the light show will primarily be observable in the upper half of the United States, especially in the far northern states like North Dakota and Minnesota.

If the geomagnetic activity hits moderate levels, the visibility could extend further south. Dahl added that "If the activity level reaches G1, areas in the upper Midwest should have a good view. For stronger activity, it may extend to the Dakotas."

In addition to the chance for a visual treat, this event offers a superb photo opportunity, particularly for capturing the rare red auroras, which occur at much higher altitudes than the more common green lights.

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are created when charged solar particles collide with Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph. Earth's magnetic field channels these particles towards the poles, resulting in the breathtaking displays of rays, spirals, and flickers that have mesmerized humanity for ages.

Dahl pointed out that the colors seen in auroras depend on the types of molecules in the atmosphere. "Lower-level interactions often emit green light, while red auroras, which occur at higher altitudes, have been less visible recently."

For eager skywatchers, there's good news. The northern lights are likely to grace the skies several more times this year. "We're not done yet," Dahl assured. "Expect this solar activity to continue through the rest of this year, all of next year, and even into 2026."