A powerful solar flare erupted from Active Region 3842, rated x7.1, increasing the chance of seeing the northern lights in Southeast Michigan this week. Geomagnetic storms, caused by solar explosions, are expected on October 3rd and 4th. The Russel-McPherron effect during equinoxes increases storm frequency by aligning Earth’s magnetosphere with the Sun’s magnetic field, allowing more solar particles to reach Earth. Visibility of the northern lights may be limited to cameras, not the naked eye.