Their latest forecast map showed that at least 22 states will likely be treated to the luminous spectacle, including Alaska, Washington, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois and New York. For optimal viewing, stargazers should head to a dark area far from city lights and find a north-facing view with a clear horizon.

A considerable number of northern U.S. states have a shot at seeing the northern lights Wednesday night, according to an upgraded forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is predicting auroral activity to increase even further by Thursday.

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) predicts a strong northern lights display on Thursday, Nov. 6 — weather allowing — as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the aurora could be visible across up to 20 U.S. states.

The aurora borealis, or northern lights, are a beautiful natural phenomenon, but travelers have some common misconceptions about them that can ruin their trip.