Look, Up In the Sky!

Though Bostonians may not have the rugged individualism of Mainers or the crunchy optimism of Vermonters, this week we do have a 70% chance of medium-strength aurorae. At least, that's what Bostonist heard from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), a joint collaboration between the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Harvard College Observatory.

For the left-brained out there, aurorae (the all official-like name for the Northern Lights) are the product of geomagnetic storms caused by eruptions on the surface of the sun. The resulting visual swirl of red and green is usually only viewed at much higher lattitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.

CfA scientists predict that the lights will be visible September 12-17, although not in the city. "The darker your sky, the better. Then, all you have to do is look north. No telescope is necessary. The best way to see an aurora is to use your eyes alone," says Smithsonian astronomer Jonathan Cirtain.

Bostonist was lucky enough to catch the lights once, at Pushaw Lake in Maine, and as such, we heartily suggest heading north, throwing a blanket on the car hood, and enjoying the show.

Contributed by Christi Gorelli