According to the NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, residents in some states, including New York, may have the opportunity to witness the Northern lights on Wednesday night, thanks to a minor geomagnetic storm.
On Wednesday, the SWPC has predicted the arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is an outburst of solar material, that could trigger a G2-level geomagnetic storm. The storm watch is likely to increase the geomagnetic activity on Earth.
According to space.com, the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is not just a beautiful sight but also a violent event characterized by ribbons of light.
When the sun emits plasma and magnetic material through CMEs, they interact with Earth’s magnetic field and direct energetic particles towards the poles. These particles collide with Earth’s upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph (72 million kph), resulting in the creation of auroras. Despite the fact that Earth’s magnetic field shields us from these particles, they still interact with atmospheric gases, releasing energy that produces these stunning natural phenomena.
The dazzling aurora lights are expected to grace the night skies of several northern and upper Midwest states, including Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The exact time of the spectacle, however, has not been disclosed yet.
On Sunday, the SWPC reported the eruption of the halo CME, which is responsible for the magnificent northern lights. As a result, a minor warning for a solar radiation storm was issued, starting from Monday night. These storms occur when charged particles from the Sun reach the Earth in significant amounts. Although not uncommon, the storm will likely go unnoticed except for the stunning northern lights.
According to the SWPC, these phenomena could potentially impact HF communications in polar areas and carry a minimal threat to space launches.
In the next few months, SWPC predicts that solar activity will persist, and as a result, some lucky Americans may be able to witness the captivating northern lights.