If you always dreamed of seeing the amazing Northern Lights in person. Tonight could be your chance. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a 48 hour STRONG magnetic storm watch indicating a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) emanating from the Sun may be heading towards Earth. A CME is a fast-moving cloud of charged particles which can cause a Northern Lights display. The last “moderate” watch NOAA issued resulted in an intense show in early October of 2013. A couple of things you can do to prepare for venturing out to try to get a glimpse.
1. You will have to find a dark spot away from the city. The darker the better. Even the faintest amount of glow from man-made light can cause the Aurora to not be visible. Clouds cover will also be a limiting factor. Dark cloud free skies are your friend.
2. Check the KP index. Of course, the further South you live the less likely you will be able to see the Northern Lights. With that being said, the Northern Lights have been known to show further South than you might think. One tool that is useful is the Kp Index. The Kp Index determines where the Northern Lights will be the strongest. It is only a tool and does not guarantee anything, but it is defiantly worth using. The higher the Kp index number the greater chance of seeing the Northern Lights. The further South you are located the higher of a Kp number will be needed to see the Northern Lights. Using the map below you can see that a Kp Index of 9 would be needed in Southern Illinois. The current Kp Index value can be seen at this link http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/kp_3d.html. By comparing the current value vs the map below you can see what the Kp would have to hit before you have a chance in your location.
3. Have a way to capture the Aurora. A cell phone camera will not be sufficient for getting a quality image of the Aurora. It is advised to use a DSLR camera or a video camera to adequately capture the Aurora. What could be worse than seeing the Aurora and having no proof or an image to remember it by.
Nothing guarantees the Northern Lights being visible and it may take several attempts to be successful.
Here is a great link to some more detailed Aurora viewing tips http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/Aurora/.
Another great link for Aurora information http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html
Viewing the Aurora Borealis is a once in a lifetime event for some people. Those that live further North could see them quite often if they ventured away from the city.
If you do head out tonight..good luck..and make sure to stay warm 
Zach Roberts
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