There are few sights in nature as breathtaking as the northern lights, and Polk County is one of the lucky places where you may catch a glimpse of this rare and dazzling phenomenon. Also known as the aurora borealis, they occur when energized particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, painting the night sky with shimmering waves of green, purple, and pink. Here in Polk County, we’ve had a good share of Northern Lights viewing opportunities over the last few years! While there is never a guarantee, you can always check with NOAA to track the viewing for the aurora borealis.