A surge of solar activity may send auroras south Thursday night, giving skywatchers in Northeast Ohio a rare chance to see the northern lights.

Some Minnesotans caught a glimpse of the northern lights Wednesday, and despite some cloud cover, there could be a chance to see them again Thursday night.

First, give every holiday light string, plug, extension cord, and outlet a thorough inspection before use. Damaged wires, loose or cracked sockets, or frayed insulation all raise an alarm. According to a fire safety guide from the National Park Service, you should discard any lanterns or light sets showing signs of wear.

It’s been nearly 15 years since Zach Gilford and Scott Porter tossed a football together on set, but watching the two actors, who played high school quarterbacks Jason Street and Matt Saracen on NBC/DirecTV’s Friday Night Lights from 2006 to 2011, hang out in a recreation of the Dillon Panthers locker room, it’s like they never left Texas.

Head into the darkness if you want the best chance to see the neon skies. Avoid as much light pollution as possible and find a clear view of the horizon facing north. Popular spots include dark sky territory like the Adirondacks and clear horizons like Lake Ontario or Northern New York bordering Lake Champlain.

Pro tips to shoot tonight’s Northern Lights on smartphones, manual and 360 cameras, with exact settings — plus what a G3 storm means and where to get the latest forecast.

The Los Angeles Zoo will once again transform into a luminous wonderland as its annual holiday light display returns next week. LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow opens to the public on Nov. 13, and runs through Jan.