Get ready, skywatchers! According to space weather forecasters, the aurora borealis could potentially grace the skies above a significant part of the United States this weekend, thanks to increased solar activity.
According to experts from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the aurora has been visible as far south as Alabama and northern California during previous solar activity of this magnitude. They predict that the aurora may be visible on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights.
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- 1 Storm watch upgraded to G4
- 2 A fickle forecast
- 3 Solar maximum is here
- 4 Tips for viewing the northern lights
A mesmerizing display awaits us as a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun are expected to reach Earth this weekend. These CMEs will generate geomagnetic storms that will trigger the enchanting auroras. NOAA has issued a severe G4 geomagnetic storm watch for Saturday, May 11.
Storm watch upgraded to G4
“This weekend’s geomagnetic storm watch has been upgraded from G2 (Moderate) to G4 (Severe),” according to astronomer Tony Phillips, writing on SpaceWeather.com . “Why? Because giant sunspot AR3664 keeps hurling CMEs toward Earth. Following today’s X2.2 solar flare , there are now at least 4 storm clouds heading our way,” Phillips said.
The mesmerizing aurora comes to life as particles from the sun become entangled in Earth’s magnetic field. These particles engage with atmospheric gases, creating the enchanting green and reddish hues that define the aurora’s beauty.
A fickle forecast
Forecasting the aurora can be tricky, so it’s important to exercise caution before making any changes to your weekend plans. Unlike regular weather forecasting, scientists who predict space weather, including the aurora, have to rely on observations of the sun, which is located 93 million miles away.
Bill Murtagh, the program coordinator at the Space Weather Prediction Center, acknowledged last year that predicting space weather is a challenging task due to numerous uncertainties. In fact, he stated that forecasting space weather is more difficult than predicting Earth’s weather, and that meteorologists are far ahead in terms of forecast capabilities compared to space weather experts.
Solar maximum is here
The mesmerizing spectacle of the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, has become a more frequent occurrence in the night sky of the United States. In a remarkable event witnessed in April 2023, the ethereal dance of the aurora was visible as far south as Arkansas in the South and Arizona in the West.
The frequency of aurora sightings is increasing, and this trend is likely to continue. If you’re a fan of these breathtaking displays, you’re in for a treat. The reason behind this surge is the anticipated peak of the “solar maximum” this year. So get ready to witness more awe-inspiring auroras in the skies near you in the coming years.
According to Shannon Schmoll, the director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, there has been a rise in the number of aurora sightings on Earth. She explains that this increase can be attributed to the heightened activity of the sun, which has led to more solar storms, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CME).
Tips for viewing the northern lights
“Go out at night,” NOAA said. “And get away from city lights.”
The finest auroras usually appear within an hour or two of midnight (between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. local time). As geomagnetic activity increases, these hours lengthen into the evening and morning.
Aurora may appear in the evenings and mornings, although they are usually less active and thus less visually pleasing, according to NOAA.
