The sun kicked out a major flare, which means the aurora borealis could shine bright from Oct. 3-Oct. 5. Here's where and how to catch the spectacle.

Northern lights activity may increase this weekend, with auroras estimated to stretch as far south as Illinois and Oregon.

The northern lights tend to occur in short bursts of 15 to 30 minutes, and are usually most visible from about 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time. They can appear as green, purple, or even red. However, light pollution and cloud cover can also impact your ability to see the display.

They’re back! The Northern Lights will again illuminate the skies over parts of New England Thursday night due to another powerful geomagnetic storm that’s casting the aurora farther south.

Here's what to know about the aurora borealis predicted to be visible from the United States, including where to spot it and how to photograph the display

The northern lights could once again grace the skies over parts of the United States.