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Aurora Borealis Will Make A Colorado Appearance

Written by Meteorologist Dave Aguilera

DENVER (CBS4) - Get ready for what may be a rare light show over the skies of Colorado. Thursday night and Friday night the Aurora Borealis will be super charged and should be able to be seen here in the central Rockies.

The only problem with viewing may be clouds from a weak storm that will be pushing into the state bringing mostly cloudy skies to most of the central Rocky Mountain region. If there are any breaks in the clouds we may be able to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights in the northern nighttime sky. Let's hope for fewer clouds!

On Tuesday, the first solar flare of the year erupted from the sun. This huge flare blew out from a sunspot seven times the size of the Earth. Since Tuesday, super-charged solar particles have been hurtling toward Earth.

When these particles crash into the Earth's magnetic field this can create a larger than normal aurora around the North Pole. And if the particles are strong enough those Northern Lights can be seen further south in the United States.

This should be the case on Thursday night with the best viewing in our state around midnight. And a weaker, less impressive showing on Friday night.

The best way to view the Northern Lights is to get away from the lights of the city. Get to the mountains or out into the Eastern Plains. Away from what is commonly called "light pollution" by astronomers.

More From University Of Colorado: Aurora borealis may dip into state tonight, say CU-Boulder experts

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