A rare solar storm is bringing the northern lights to 17 states in the United States, including Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Maryland. The best time to view the northern lights is at night, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, and away from the lights of a city. Cities such as Helena, Montana; Montpelier, Vermont; Minneapolis and Milwaukee are expected to have “highly active auroral displays” visible overhead.