Northern lights no longer expected to put on show for lower 48 states

UPDATE: The forecast for the northern lights has changed for Thursday, July 13. No significant auroral activity for the lower 48 states is predicted, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. See why the forecast has changed. The story below appears as it was published before the forecast changed.

The sky is expected to turn into a disco ball Thursday, due to psychedelic waves of color coming from northern lights. 

Northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, is a natural phenomenon that's predicted to be visible in over 17 U.S. states.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute forecasts that auroral activity will be high with hyperactive light displays more visible overhead in regions where favorable weather conditions persist.

Aurora borealis is common in Alaska, from August to April, when the sky is clear and dark enough, according to Travel Alaska.

Here's what you need to know about the northern lights, should the stars align this week.

Graphics: How the northern lights spread their wonder.

Where might the northern lights be visible?

These are the 17 states where the northern lights are predicted to be visible:

• Alaska

• Montana

• North Dakota

• South Dakota

• Minnesota

• Wisconsin

• Michigan

• Maine

• Maryland

• New York

• New Hampshire

• Washington

• Vermont

• Idaho

• Oregon

• Wyoming

• Indiana

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Where can Delawareans see the northern lights?

The best chance for Delaware residents to witness the aurora borealis is in neighboring Annapolis, Maryland, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.

When will northern lights appear?

Between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. is the best time to see the aurora. "There may be aurora in the evening and morning but it is usually not as active and therefore, not as visually appealing," according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.

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What are the northern lights?

The aurora borealis is a glow produced by electrons that float down to the Earth’s magnetic field from space.  The electrons crash with atoms and molecules of the atmosphere in a ring on the Earth’s magnetic pole, according to the NOAA.

All that commotion produces multicolor bulbs of light, which can be seen in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, respectively.

What causes northern lights?

Wind from the sun and Earth’s magnetic field interact to form the aurora. The aurora is a byproduct of geomagnetic storms. As the solar wind increases in speed and magnetic field come together to move south, the aurora becomes brighter and more active, according to NOAA.

When was the last major northern light event in the U.S.?

A geomagnetic storm created lights that were visible in 30 U.S. states in late April. The aurora could be seen in parts of Iowa, North Dakota, Kansas and elsewhere.

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Northern lights shine in pop culture

The northern lights are so popular, they have appeared in several pop culture references. This includes name-drops in music from singer Tori Amos' song "Amber Waves," plus a mention in Joni Mitchell's tune "Green Lights."

The Maryland waterpark Great Wolf Lodge, which opened in June, named a section of their park the Northern Lights Arcade and Prize Shop.

USA Today reporters Kate Perez and Amaris Encinas contributed to this report. 

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Northern lights forecast for July 13 changes. What to know in Delaware