Northern lights could be visible in Iowa Thursday. Here's what the forecast shows.

If you missed the northern lights when they appeared in Iowa back in May, you've got another chance Thursday night, when the aurora might be visible as far south as Pennsylvania to Iowa to Oregon.

After solar eruptions launched on Tuesday, the Space Weather Prediction Center issued a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm watch. It expects northern lights activity to be elevated Thursday night. If the forecasted geomagnetic storm levels are met, the eruption of solar material and magnetic fields will present the beloved natural lights in the sky.

When will the northern lights be visible?

The aurora is expected to be bright, active and visible in parts of 17 U.S. states on Thursday night, Sept. 12, 2024.

What are the northern lights?

The word aurora refers to the light produced when electrons from space, traveling down Earth's magnetic field, collide with atoms and molecules of the upper atmosphere, according to the prediction center .

The colorful aurora forms when particles flowing from the sun get caught up in Earth's magnetic field. The particles interact with molecules of atmospheric gases to cause the famed glowing green and reddish colors of the aurora.

Can you see northern lights with the naked eye?

Northern lights can be safely viewed without a telescope or microscope. The visibility of the aurora depends on multiple factors from location, weather, time of night and the level of geomagnetic activity present.

You may want to bring your phone with you when you step out to view the aurora. The camera on your device is sensitive and can pick up the lights better than your eye , USA TODAY reported.

When could the northern lights be visible in Iowa?

Historically, the best time to see the lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. You'll also want to get away from light pollution from cities and find dark places.

Will weather in Iowa allow easy viewing of the northern lights?

It'll be partly cloudy night in Iowa on Thursday, according to NWS , which may disrupt the aurora's brightness.

Contributing: Anthony Robledo, Doyle Rice and Dinah Voyles Pulver

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Northern lights could be visible in Iowa Thursday. Here's what the forecast shows.