Direct answer: The northern lights (aurora borealis) are generally visible from latitudes roughly 55° to 80° north, with the best and most reliable viewing near the Arctic Circle. In practical terms, that places most reliable sightings in parts of Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, northern Canada, Alaska, and northern Russia. Under strong solar activity, they can occasionally be seen farther south, but such occurrences are rare and highly dependent on clear skies and very active geomagnetic conditions. For mid- latitude regions (like much of the continental United States, central Europe, or southern Canada), sightings are uncommon and usually occur only during intense solar storms. For up-to-date alerts, check a real-time aurora forecast for your specific location and date, and prioritize nights with clear skies and low light pollution.