What makes it possible to see the northern lights?

A severe solar storm impacting Earth could bring the northern lights to portions of the U.S. on Thursday.

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[joshuahawkins]

It was amazing to see 20 minutes ago in north providence. My Facebook time line is all pink pictures 😂

[Paul_]

As beautiful as it is, this is shows there's lots of sun activity to be able to see it this far.

[sjla]

Saw them last night for the first time in my 48 years! In Leicester UK 🇬🇧 ❤

[sameulljacson]

Use your camera night mode setting! I caught some great pics no visible to the naked eye. Your need that camera long exposure the further south you go

[Candycatgamer-lc]

I got pictures of the roar borealis, and even though there were some light pollution we were still able to see part of it. We didn’t have any clouds in the sky, and we are in an area where there’s a little bit more dark than the city, but we were able to see it. This is in Maryland.

[fernycastillo]

*the sun destroying the earth's atmosphere*
Us: ooohh pretty colors

[TroyBrophy]

I really wish news stations on the World Wide Web would identify their location.

[jonathanschlack]

I saw some northern lights at 7:30 this evening here in Pennsylvania.

[renaissance]

Principal Skinner: Aurora Borealis? = The Simpsons LOL

[foxf]

That’s just the chemicals they are dumping on us lol

[Amerst]

HAARP people! This is not what a natural aurora borealis looks like. L