Science
Auroras may paint the northern US tonight as Earth reels from 'strong' G3 geomagnetic storm
Auroras could paint the skies Monday (Sept. 16) at much lower latitudes than usual as a "strong" G3-class geomagnetic storm crackles through Earth's atmosphere, according to the latest report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center.
The northern lights could be visible as far south as Oregon, Iowa and Pennsylvania tonight, with many states along the U.S.-Canada border likely to get a good view, according to NOAA. However, the presence of the nearly full Harvest Moon overhead may make it harder to spot vibrant auroras than it would be on a truly dark night.
Geomagnetic storms occur when massive blobs of charged solar material — called coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — pass over Earth at high speeds, colliding with our planet's magnetic field. As charged solar particles skate along the planet's magnetic-field lines toward the North and South poles, they bump into and excite atmospheric molecules such as oxygen and nitrogen, forcing those molecules to emit energy in the form of colorful auroral light.
Scientists detected a large CME blasting out of the sun on Saturday (Sept. 14), just after a powerful flash of electromagnetic energy known as a solar flare erupted from the sunspot AR3825. NOAA calculated the flare to be an X4.5-class explosion — the most powerful class of solar flare possible — and predicted Earth would likely sustain a glancing blow from the large CME that followed.
The "strong" G3-class storm due to hit Earth today ranks in the middle of NOAA's five-level geomagnetic storm scale, with G1-class storms dubbed "minor" and G5-class storms seen as "extreme." Along with the appearance of midlatitude auroras, G3 storms can disrupt GPS systems, low-frequency radio communications and certain satellite functions, according to NOAA.
Related: 32 stunning photos of auroras seen from space
To view auroras, head as far from artificial light sources as possible, using a dark sky map if needed. This will be particularly important given tonight's bright moon. You can see auroras with the naked eye (no stargazing binoculars are necessary), but a smartphone camera should be able to capture the atmospheric light show with even greater sensitivity.
-
Science1w ago
You Won’t Want to Miss October’s Rare Comet Sighting. Here’s How and When You Can See It
-
Science2w ago
A New Spacecraft Could Help Determine if There’s Life on a Moon of Jupiter
-
Science3w ago
We Can Thank Deep-Space Asteroids for Helping Start Life on Earth
-
Science3w ago
Stranded Astronauts Set to Come Home After SpaceX Capsule With Extra Seats Reaches ISS
-
Science3w ago
Earth's crust may be building mountains by dripping into the mantle
-
Science3w ago
How strong can hurricanes get?
-
Science3w ago
32 things on Mars that look like they shouldn't be there
-
Science3w ago
Everything You Need to Know About October’s ‘Ring of Fire’ Solar Eclipse