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Earlier in May sky watchers across the U.S. were able to enjoy the Northern Lights, as Earth experienced the most powerful geomagnetic storm in over 20 years.

The sunspot responsible for the lights, known as AR3664, is approximately 15 times as wide as Earth. On May 10 it ejected a series of powerful solar storms towards the planet which would eventually collide with our magnetic field, resulting in the aerial phenomena.

The resulting geomagnetic storm caused by the sunspot's expulsion was the first G5 (extreme) storm since 2003.

AR3664 has continued to output solar flares, but due to the sun's relatively slow rotation compared to Earth, we haven't been able to notice it here.

That's set to change on June 6, as this is when AR3664 is slated to be once again facing Earth.

Experts have previously told Newsweek that those eager to see the lights can expect an opportunity to do so in early June.

Shortly after May 10, professor of space science and physics at Athabasca University in Canada, Martin Connor said: "This activity was associated with a huge sunspot, now going around the far side of the Sun, which takes about a month to rotate. A sunspot group this big typically lasts a long time so it should be visible again in a couple of weeks and come to a central "dangerous" position in about three weeks (it then takes 2-3 days for the effects to get to us)."

Americans looking to watch as auroras paint the sky should also keep an eye on space weather updates and developments from sources such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

NOAA advises that for the best viewing opportunities, it is recommended to seek areas with minimal light pollution, with locations far removed from city lights.

They also say the best time to watch for the phenomena are usually within an hour or two of midnight. These hours of active aurora expand towards evening and morning as the level of geomagnetic activity increases.

NOAA also operates an "aurora dashboard" on its website which provides a 30-minute advance estimation on where and when auroras will be visible, as well as tracking aurora activity in the last 24 hours. The page also provides forecasts for a night in advance.

On Monday, the sunspot triggered radio blackouts over North and South America after ejecting a X2.8-class solar flare.

Solar flares can alter the ionosphere and absorb radio waves.

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Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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