The auroras are expected to be "quite pleasing to look at" from select parts of the United States

When will the northern lights be visible?, Where will the northern lights be visible?, How to watch the northern lights?, How to take photos of the northern lights?

NEED TO KNOW

The northern lights are expected to be visible on back-to-back nights this weekend, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Space Weather Prediction Center's forecast
They are measured at three on the Kp index's scale that ranges from zero to nine, which means they can be "quite pleasing to look at" under perfect conditions
Select parts of the United States will have a chance to spot the northern lights from Earth on both nights

Don't have weekend plans? Mother Nature's got you!

Another round of northern lights is expected to color the sky on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Space Weather Prediction Center's forecast.

The back-to-back astronomical event is predicted to produce a "moderate" display given its three on the Kp index, which measures aurora intensity on a scale that ranges from zero to nine. Forecasts in the three to five range mean the northern lights can be "quite pleasing to look at" if conditions align.

In comparison to northern light activity earlier in the month, these auroras won't be visible for most parts of the United States. Only select locations across the northernmost areas of the country will have a chance at catching a glimpse from Earth.

The best part about watching the northern lights, should they be visible from your location, though, is the fact that they're viewable without advanced technology. Simply, all that's needed to spot them is your naked eye — and clear skies!

Now, scroll on for when and where to watch the northern lights from the United States this weekend.

When will the northern lights be visible?

A moderate display of northern lights is forecast across two nights this weekend: Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12. The best times to watch them are in the hours surrounding midnight and before sunrise (note, they can not be seen in daylight).

Due to the northern lights' three forecast on the Kp index that spans from zero to nine, the display is expected to move further from the poles, becoming "brighter" with "more auroral activity," according to NOAA.

Plus, the aurora display can be "quite pleasing to look at" if watching from appropriate locations and the weather conditions align (that means, clear skies with no rain or clouds).

Where will the northern lights be visible?

The northern lights are expected to be visible from the northern parts of the United States.

If you're in the following locations, per NOAA's aurora viewline, look up: Alaska, Northern east Washington, northern Idaho, northern Montana, almost all of North Dakota, Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and the northernmost tip of Michigan.

How to watch the northern lights?

No telescope or binoculars? No worries!

The best part about the northern lights is that they are visible with the naked eye, pending weather conditions and location on Earth. The astronomical event is a spectacular phenomenon if all factors align, producing vibrant colors of greens, blues and pinks in the night sky.

It's also best to watch them from extra dark locations, meaning far away from light pollution, like city lights. This way, the artificial glow doesn't drown out the colorful hues up above.

How to take photos of the northern lights?

Did the northern lights really happen if you didn't snap a photo yourself? Fortunately, specific smartphones have a high-tech capability to capture the auroras on camera if you toggle on the "Night Mode" settings in your device.