Another powerful solar explosion is hurtling across space towards Earth, potentially creating impressive aurora borealis in the night sky around the planet.
Many Americans will have the chance to witness dazzling shades of green and red, also known as the aurora borealis, on Thursday night, thanks to a “severe” geomagnetic storm predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA’s Space Prediction Center has announced monitoring of a rare G4 geomagnetic storm for the second time this year, with the plasma clouds and coronal mass ejections of charged particles that fuel the storms.
Despite the threat solar storms pose to satellites, GPS signals, and the power grid, monitoring the storm is good news for aurora trackers. Because of the way solar particles interact with Earth’s magnetosphere, a powerful eruption should make vivid auroras visible to people. The Northern Hemisphere area is larger than usual.
Here’s what you need to know about the Northern Lights and how to see them on Thursday night in the United States.
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NOAA issues rare G4 solar storm watch to track coronal mass ejectionStarting Tuesday, NOAA has been tracking a coronal mass ejection that exploded from the sun on a trajectory that should reach Earth by noon Thursday.
Forecasters use a five-point scale to measure geometric storms. Geometric storms are caused when solar particles and electromagnetic radiation are ejected toward Earth by coronal mass ejections. According to NOAA, at G4, this solar storm is one level away from being the most intense solar storm imaginable.
G4 level storm watches are not conducted very often. The last monitor issued by NOAA in May was the first since 2005.
May’s geomagnetic storm was a record, strong enough to disrupt power grids, interfere with GPS signals and even farm equipment. On the bright side, areas of the country that don’t often see aurora borealis can now enjoy spectacular views of them.
Where can you see the aurora?
The Northern Lights are famous for being the most beautiful sight at the Earth’s poles, but powerful magnetic storms can cause them to appear over larger areas of the Earth.
According to NOAA, the magnetic storm arriving Thursday has a Kp index of 8, meaning the aurora will move further toward the equator and become very bright and very active.
“These are the events that produce the best aurora borealis, and the extended oval shape of the aurora will be visible to most people. At these levels, the aurora can be seen directly overhead from northern states,” officials said. explains.
SWPC’s experimental aurora viewing line said the aurora borealis could be visible Thursday night across much of the northern half of the United States, and possibly as far south as Alabama and northern California. Visibility also depends on local weather conditions and city lights.
The states best located within the Northern Lights viewing line are:
Alaska Washington Idaho Montana North Dakota Minnesota Michigan Wisconsin
The aurora may also be “very active” in parts of Nevada, Oklahoma, Arkansas and North Carolina, according to the website of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, which tracks the phenomenon. That’s what it means.
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
In upcoming solar storms, particles flowing from the Sun will get caught up in Earth’s magnetic field and interact with molecules of atmospheric gases to form colorful auroras. If you look up at the right time, you might see the resulting glowing green and reddish colored aurora borealis.
When an aurora forms, the Earth’s magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles, and in the process produces amazing displays of rays, spirals, and flickers that have fascinated humanity for thousands of years.
According to NOAA, if the weather is clear, the best aurora borealis can usually be seen within an hour or two after midnight.
The agency maintains an aurora dashboard that helps skygazers track the phenomenon.
Why are auroras increasing due to solar activity?
Fortunately for aurora seekers, there will soon be far more opportunities to catch them.
Electromagnetic activity is increasing as the sun continues to reach the zenith of its 11-year solar cycle, which NASA expects to reach in 2025.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as the sun reaches its peak in solar cycle 25, sunspots in areas of strong magnetic activity should increase. When that magnetic activity is released, it creates an intense burst of radiation that causes a solar flare to hurtle toward Earth at the speed of light.
Some of these flares can be accompanied by coronal mass ejections that emerge from the sun’s outermost atmosphere, the corona.
These ejecta could collide with Earth’s magnetosphere, a barrier that protects humanity from the harshest effects of space weather, creating magnetic storms that could unleash spectacular views of aurora borealis in areas of the country where they are less commonly seen. there is.
Eric Lagatta covers the latest and trending news for USA TODAY. Please contact elagatta@gannett.com.
