Northern Lights Could Be Visible In Northern Illinois Tonight

If you have ever wanted to see Northern Lights without leaving home, this could be your chance.

First, what exactly is 'Northern Lights'?

The bright dancing lights of the aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. (WDIV)

Scientists have reported a solar flare, and its path is earth. Don't freak out. It's not some apocalyptic occurrence and not part of 2020's plan to further make life suck. The phenomenon could cause interruption in radio and cell phone service for a brief moment here and there, according to WSIL.

The solar flare, and accompanying coronal mass ejection, heading towards Earth is likely to arrive Wednesday night and Thursday.

If the stars align, no pun intended, folks in Northern Illinois might get a chance to witness Northern Lights with their very own eyes. Truthfully, this is something you may never have a chance to see again in your lifetime. There's a chance for it to happen again tomorrow night but, with a partly cloudy forecast Thursday night, tonight might be your best shot.

A massive solar flare on the Sun erupted in the direction of Earth. That solar flare accelerated the normal stream of charged particles that comes from the Sun to the Earth.

There are three possible scenarios for tonight, one involves a green glow and the other a red. The third scenario is not being able to see the Northern Lights at all.

If you see green or red in the sky, then you know you’re looking at the Northern Lights. If this happens during the daylight hours, we won’t be able to see it. (WDIV)

Here's a map of what areas of the United States have a chance at seeing the Northern Lights.

JB Love is ½ of  Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.