Rare Solar Storm Brings Northern Lights to Chicago Suburbs
Aurora Borealis Visible in Kildeer, Could Appear in Other Unusual Locations
Residents of Kildeer, Illinois, were treated to a rare sight late Friday night as the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, briefly appeared over their subdivision. This sighting is particularly unusual, as the Northern Lights are typically only visible in much higher latitudes.
The appearance of the Northern Lights in Kildeer is the result of a powerful solar storm that occurred earlier this week. The storm sent a surge of charged particles towards Earth, which interacted with the Earth's magnetic field to create the colorful display.
While the Northern Lights are most commonly seen in the far north, they can occasionally be visible in lower latitudes during strong solar storms. This is why residents of Chicago and other parts of the Midwest are encouraged to keep an eye out for the Northern Lights over the next few nights.
The best time to see the Northern Lights in the Chicago area will be between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on clear nights. The lights will be most visible in areas with low light pollution, such as parks and open fields.
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