Get ready, stargazers! A significant geomagnetic storm is on its way to Earth, giving folks in various U.S. states a chance to see the stunning Northern Lights.
Last night, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center announced a G3 geomagnetic storm watch. This follows two powerful solar flares that erupted from the sun within just 48 hours earlier this week.
You might spot the Northern Lights across northern states and even some areas in the lower Midwest extending to Oregon, as mentioned in the NOAA update.
According to expert Gallagher, these solar explosions send hot gas and magnetic fields out into space, and when they’re directed towards us, they create auroras.
He noted that the latest explosions came from the sun’s center, directly facing Earth. “It’s like looking down the barrel of a gun,” he quipped.
Once the ejected material arrives, it interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, sending charged particles into our atmosphere. When these particles collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen, they light up the sky in vivid colors.
The charged particles are zooming towards us at about 2 million miles per hour, but since the distance from the sun to Earth is around 93 million miles, they’ll take about a day to reach us.
Gallagher suggested, “By Saturday or Sunday, these solar storms should show their effects, bringing auroras.” However, he recommends heading outside tonight just in case.
SWPC Forecasters have issued G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm Watches for 04-06 October due to a pair of coronal mass ejections expected to impact Earth within the next few days.
Stay tuned for updates at https://t.co/4CNTc1IkKt as we monitor this activity! pic.twitter.com/RbLzQKHSUX
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) October 3, 2024
To maximize your viewing experience, Gallagher advises finding a dark location away from city lights and any cloud cover. “Dark skies with no light pollution are your best bet to witness the auroras,” he said.
While the light show is breathtaking, be aware that the solar storm could disrupt some technology. The NOAA cautions that shortwave radio users might experience temporary loss of contact.
Currently, we’re at the sun’s solar maximum, which means there’s a higher chance of auroras happening more frequently in the coming months.