Over much of the northern hemisphere, there is an opportunity to witness a rare and breathtaking aurora borealis display due to a massive solar explosion that is currently approaching Earth. Given that the storm is predicted to reach Earth by Thursday midday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch, one of the most severe classifications. Northern lights may therefore be seen in areas well beyond their typical range.
Here’s where to find out when and where to view the northern lights that are visible across the US due to a solar storm:
NOAA Issues a G4 Geomagnetic Storm Watch
Since Tuesday, NOAA has been monitoring a solar coronal mass ejection. It is anticipated that this ejection, a burst of charged particles and plasma, could interfere with Earth’s magnetic field, perhaps interfering with satellites, GPS signals, and power grids. For those that chase auroras, the occasion may offer a spectacular view despite these risks. For the second occasion this year, the uncommon G4-level storm watch has been issued by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
Geomagnetic storms are categorized by forecasters using a five-level system, with G5 being the most severe. According to NOAA, a storm classified as a G4 is only one level below the strongest category. The most recent G4 storm occurred in May and was the first since 2005. That storm had enough strength to mess with navigation systems and disrupt the electrical grid. It did, however, also result in breathtaking views of the aurora borealis in places where it is not typically visible.
Extended Aurora Visibility Across the U.S.
Aurora vision can be pushed far farther from the poles than usual by geomagnetic storms, such as the one predicted for Thursday night. According to NOAA, a large portion of the northern United States will probably be able to see the aurora due to the storm’s severity. NOAA said in a statement that “at these levels, aurora may be seen directly overhead from the northern states,” adding that the storm’s Kp index was 8, which indicates extremely brilliant and active auroras.
The greatest places to see the northern lights are Alaska, Washi
ngton, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center’s experimental Aurora viewline. Depending on the local weather and urban light pollution, the auroras may even be visible as far south as Alabama and northern California.
Additionally, during the storm, auroras may be “highly active” in areas like Nevada, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and North Carolina, according to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute.
When and How to Catch the Best View
When charged solar particles interact with atmospheric gases after becoming entangled in Earth’s magnetic field, they produce auroras, which are characterized by bright red and green hues in the sky. If the weather is clear, NOAA advises skygazers to try to see the auroras within an hour or two of midnight for the best opportunity. To assist in tracking the occurrence in real time, the agency created an Aurora dashboard.
For millennia, people have been captivated by the northern lights, commonly referred to as the aurora borealis. Upon impact with Earth’s atmosphere, these solar particles produce captivating displays of rays, spirals, and flickers that enthrall spectators. Those who are not familiar with this natural beauty in the area may be treated to such a show by Thursday’s storm.
Solar Cycle 25: Increased Solar Activity Ahead
As solar activity is predicted to rise, those who miss this event will have additional chances in the near future. According to NASA’s projections, the sun will culminate its current solar cycle, known as Solar Cycle 25, in 2025. In regions of strong magnetic activity, more sunspots are anticipated to occur as the sun approaches this peak. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which are produced by these sunspots, have the potential to increase the frequency of auroras and geomagnetic storms.
According to NOAA, these ejections cause geomagnetic storms when they strike the magnetosphere of Earth, which shields the globe from space weather. The northern lights can be visible farther from the poles than usual because of these storms, which improve their visibility.
The storm this week offers a unique opportunity to see the aurora borealis across the United States, but it may also cause problems for communication networks. Thursday night might offer one of the greatest chances to see the northern lights this year for those who are wanting to do so.
