A solar storm this week could make the northern lights visible in several northern U.S. states, offering a rare chance for skywatchers to witness the stunning aurora borealis. The northern lights, or aurora borealis, occur when charged particles from the sun, often released during events like coronal mass ejections (CMEs), collide with Earth’s magnetic field. These particles are funneled toward the poles, where they interact with gases in the upper atmosphere, such as oxygen and nitrogen. As these collisions occur, they release energy in the form of light, creating the dazzling displays of green, red, purple, and sometimes blue hues seen in the night sky.