Expect this Valentine’s Day to be special in more ways than one—especially for stargazers. Look up at the night sky and see Venus shining the brightest it has all year, and potentially catch a glimpse of the northern lights.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm conditions are expected on the evening of Thursday, February 13. The storm is caused by a solar wind stream, which is flowing from a canyon-like hole in the sun’s atmosphere. When the stream hits Earth, it could cause auroras in time for Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 14, Spaceweather.com reports.
The aurora borealis is caused by magnetic storms triggered by solar activity. Per NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, energetic charged particles from these events are carried from the sun by solar winds. When the solar wind reaches Earth’s magnetic field, it brings a stream of charged particles that collide with molecules in our atmosphere. As the particles shed the energy acquired during the collision, each one glows a different color.
Stargazers in Canada, Alaska, and parts of the northern U.S. will have the best chances of viewing the northern lights, Space.com reports. However, if geomagnetic activity is strong enough, individuals in Michigan and Maine may also spot the celestial phenomenon.
If you live outside of these regions—don’t fret. Stargazers everywhere will be able to spot Venus on Valentine’s Day at the brightest it has been all year. To see the Planet of Love, look west just after sunset on February 14, when it reaches its peak illumination. It will also look brilliant throughout the rest of the month.
