Northern Lights May Be Visible in the US Due to Solar Storms
The sun released a powerful coronal mass ejection, sending a surge of charged particles toward Earth. Space weather forecasters have issued a strong geomagnetic storm watch as the burst is expected to reach the planet between Thursday evening and Friday morning.
How vivid the northern lights appear, and how far south they can be seen, will depend on the timing and intensity of the solar energy’s interaction with Earth’s magnetic field.
“Quite likely spin up overnight,” said Shawn Dahl, a space weather forecaster with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Authorities continue to observe the situation and do not expect major interference with radio or communication networks, according to Dahl.
Where Auroras Could Be Seen
- Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho
- Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota
- Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan
- Wisconsin, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine
- Northern areas of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts
The brightness of the moon, currently near its closest point to Earth, could make auroras harder to observe in some regions. However, the northern lights might still be visible on Friday night if solar activity remains strong.
Author’s Summary
The solar storm approaching Earth may give spectators across many northern U.S. states a chance to see vivid auroras, while experts anticipate minimal impact on communication systems.