Northern Lights in Chicago Friday Night || What Experts Say about Chicago Night 2022

Northern Lights in Chicago Friday Night || What Experts Say about Chicago Night 2022 

The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, was spotted in the Midwest earlier this week, but can Chicago residents see the sights Friday night?

According to experts at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, this is impossible.

"We can say we're much less likely to see auroras in our area tonight, and last night we probably had a much more chance to see them somewhere in the northern states," the planetarium said in an email on Friday ABC 5.

However, residents of Upper Minnesota and Michigan, as well as Alaska and Canada, can see the stunning light on Friday night, the planetarium said.

Earlier this week, a series of sunspots released magnetic energy and fast-moving particles called coronal mass ejections, causing geomagnetic storms across the northern United States and Canada, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service issued geomagnetic storm observations Wednesday through Friday, noting that the Aurora Borealis would most likely appear Wednesday evening when the storm peaks.

“The impact on G3 hurricane technology generally remains small, but they can move the Aurora Borealis from its polar home to the equator. "Aurorae can be seen in northern states when conditions are favorable," the National Meteorological Agency wrote on Wednesday.

According to the planetarium, no one in Illinois had been able to see the Northern Lights for the past two days because it was covered in clouds. Reports of major sightings have come from around Minnesota and North Dakota.

Astronomer Adler has determined that light pollution will make it difficult to see the Northern Lights even when weather conditions are considered ideal.

“Light pollution often affects our ability to see the Northern Lights. Even if they are in our sky, it is difficult to see them due to the heavy light pollution. Auroras can be dark," the planetarium said.

Another thing we're struggling with is that even if they were visible, they might be on the horizon and not overhead, meaning buildings, trees, etc. They can block our view," the planetarium further said.

However, there may be some hope on the horizon.

The sun is in a phase of "higher solar activity" for the next few years, experts say, increasing the likelihood of seeing future auroras in the region.