Northern Lights Illuminate Night Skies in North America

On November 11, 2025, the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, will grace the skies of North America. The spectacle will be seen behind the Saint Joseph the Woodworker Shrine near Valley Falls, Kan., showcasing brilliant splashes of green, purple, and pink.

The phenomenon occurs when energized particles from space collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating stunning visual effects. The northern United States and much of Canada will offer the best vantage points for witnessing this natural display, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Stargazers will enjoy the best sights where the aurora is directly overhead, with potential sightings possible from up to 1000 km away. Optimal viewing times are post-sunset or pre-sunrise, as the aurora is invisible during the day.

Northern Lights result from a form of space weather, according to NASA. High-energy particles from space interact violently with atmospheric gas atoms near the planet’s magnetic pole.

The geomagnetic storm responsible for this aurora will peak on Saturday night, offering the best opportunity to observe the light show, as stated by the NOAA.

Observing these lights can be a rare joy for those residing far from the poles. In North America, auroras are commonly seen in March and November, although the reasons remain unclear to scientists.

Typically, best visibility occurs in Earth’s northern latitudes in locations like Russia, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, and Alaska. For many, traveling to Arctic regions is one of the few opportunities to witness space weather.