Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, Seen in US (+Photos)

The aurora borealis shines above Kodiak, Alaska early Wednesday morning, Oct. 2, 2013. According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, a moderate geomagnetic storm has begun, creating aurora across the state of Alaska. The aurora may be visible as far south as New York state. AP Photo/James Brooks, Kodiak Daily Mirror

Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, was seen from multiple states in the U.S. on Oct. 2, lighting up the sky in a magnificent show.

The natural phenomenon was seen from Minnesota, Iowa, and Montana, among other states.

This year and next are the best time for viewing the Aurora Borealis, according to Montana Outdoors.

“Scientists predict these glowing, horizon-wide arcs, bands, and wisps will occur more regularly and frequently in 2013 and 2014 than at any time in the past decade,” says the magazine. 

The phenomenon happens from electrically charged particles colliding with gaseous particles in the Earth’s atmosphere.

[View the story “Aurora Borealis Photos” on Storify]