In an exciting development, the northern lights are set to grace the night sky in several states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa. According to the aurora forecast for Friday night, these states fall within the line of visibility where the captivating phenomenon can be observed.

The solar storm expected to reach its peak late Friday into early Saturday is classified as a G2-level event, which, although milder compared to the recent extreme G5 storms, is still powerful enough to create the mesmerizing display of lights widely known as the northern lights.

The best chances to witness this beautiful natural phenomenon lie along the U.S.-Canada border, with the line of visibility extending all the way down into Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, direct your gaze towards the northern horizon. With the advancements in technology, using a phone camera can enhance the viewing experience. Newer phone models have highly sensitive lenses that can capture the aurora even when it is not visible to the naked eye.

The vivid display of colors seen during the northern lights is caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These CMEs are essentially explosive releases of plasma and magnetic material from the sun. As these particles interact with Earth's magnetic field, they create currents that flow towards the poles, resulting in the ethereal auroras that grace our skies.

While it may not be an extreme solar storm, the G2-level activity is still expected to offer a remarkable visual spectacle for lucky observers in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa, as well as the other states within the line of visibility. So mark your calendars and be prepared to experience the wonders of nature as the northern lights illuminate the night sky.