The northern lights may put on a dazzling display over the next couple of years as the sun enters its solar maximum, a period of heightened activity that occurs about every 11 years.

The Sun has unleashed a powerful solar flare, Nasa has said. The flare, designated X2.3, belongs to the most intense X class of flares. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Scientists use sunspots to predict the solar cycle and solar activity. That activity leads to space weather in the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections that launch clouds of charged particles toward Earth, which in May created the strongest geomagnetic storm on Earth in two decades.

Auroral activity is expected to be just strong enough to be seen across parts of the northern U.S. on Friday before weakening through the weekend, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast.

Parts of Midwest and Northeast states may be able to see the northern lights Sunday night, according to an alert sent by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Forecasts by the Prediction Center show that residents as far south as Nebraska and central Iowa may be able to see the aurora borealis if conditions permit.

"Viewing the aurora from New England tonight is certainly possible with a small chance to see the Northern Lights as far south as Rhode Island," said Bryan R. Brasher, project man