NEED TO KNOW

The northern lights may be visible tonight across 18 U.S. states due to a G2-level geomagnetic storm

Aurora activity is expected to peak overnight with potential viewing as early as this evening

The Kp index is expected to rise, increasing the chances of northern lights farther south than usual

Get ready for another round of auroras, stargazers!

The cosmos is putting on a dazzling spectacle, as the northern lights make a rare appearance across parts of the U.S. starting as early as this evening.

Auroras result from geomagnetic storms when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Their visibility depends on a number of factors, including intensity and location.

According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center ( SWPC ), space

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