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Auroras could light up skies over parts of the U.S. Tuesday

<p>If you're worried about space weather destroying life as we know it here on Earth, you can relax. The U.S. government has a plan. (Video via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0_QB0kWhVo" target="_blank">NASA</a>)</p><p>Space weather refers to variations that occur in the area between the sun and the Earth. Think solar flares and solar energetic particles. Or, to put it more simply, think explosions of high-energy radiation from the sun.</p><p>A massive electromagnetic pulse from solar flares could destroy power grids and cost billions of dollars. That's why the White House is working on protection efforts.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp" target="_blank">Office of Science and Technology Policy</a> recently released an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/final_nationalspaceweatheractionplan_20151028.pdf" target="_blank">action plan</a> and <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/final_nationalspaceweatherstrategy_20151028.pdf" target="_blank">strategy</a> that outline how the country will prepare for the worst.</p><p>Here's the gist. The government will work with various entities to release new space environment data and launch a space weather data initiative. It will also work to train emergency management on space weather events, increase international collaboration and publish more information about space weather in transportation reports.</p><p>Sounds expensive, but the office ensures us that this action plan "broadly aligns" with the proposal in the president's budget for 2016.</p><p><i>This video includes images from Getty Images.</i></p>
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Northern sections of the United States could be in for a rare astronomical treat as aurora borealis sightings could go as far south as the Carolinas Tuesday night.

For the northern lights to be visual south of the Ohio River, a Kp index of at least seven needs to happen. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Kp index is forecast to be up to seven Tuesday evening.

This means that Canadians and residents of states that border Canada should be able to witness tonight's aurora.

Last night, residents of northern states such as Michigan, New York and Montana were able to see the northern lights. The Kp index Monday night reached five.

To view the northern lights, experts recommend looking to the north and being away from the light pollution caused by cities. The best time to view the northern lights is 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time.

The greenish glow that results in auroras are caused by solar flairs that interact with the Earth’s magnetic polls. These charged particles from the sun penetrate the planet’s atmosphere and cause photons to give off light.

The forecast is for the northern lights to subside after Wednesday morning.