A solar storm is likely to yield a brilliant celestial show for millions in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend – even in some places that don't often see the aurora borealis, or northern lights.
Here are three things you'll want to know about this special event that's expected to peak over the weekend:
1. An unusually strong geomagnetic storm is ongoing: This is the first time that a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch has been issued by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center since January 2005. In their warning, the agency said at least five Earth-directed coronal mass ejections are expected to arrive as early as midday Friday and persist through Sunday.
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