Aurora borealis caused by geomagnetic storm that results from solar flare
Skywatchers in some northern parts of the U.S. are set to enjoy the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, this week.
Caused by a geomagnetic storm that is the result of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), or solar flare, the Northern Lights could be visible across a number of northerly states.
The Northern Lights occur when solar wind hits Earth’s magnetic field.
“When the charged particles from the sun strike atoms and molecules in Earth’s atmosphere, they excite those atoms, causing them to light up,” explains EarthSky.
“Geomagnetic Storm Watches are in effect from December 9th – 11th, 2020 due to anticipated CME effects,” said NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center in a statement. The solar flare occurred on Dec. 7, it added.
So there is a lot of buzz about potential #SolarStorm heading our way. The SWPC issued a G3 Geomagnetic Storm Watch for Thursday, Dec 10th. Yellow line on the map shows the furthest southward potential for the #NorthernLights could be observed.https://t.co/peTr0Sbefw#OHwx #PAwx pic.twitter.com/4RMWXcZYTB
— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) December 9, 2020
“NOAA forecasters expect the most intense disturbances to occur on Dec. 10th with peak storm levels near category G3,” said Spaceweather.com. “If that happens, auroras could be sighted in the USA in states as far south as, e.g., Illinois and Oregon.”
Skywatchers across parts of the northern U.S. are gearing up to see the Northern Lights.
“Look up tonight!,” tweeted Max Tsaparis, meteorologist at WKOW 27 News in Wisconsin, on Wednesday. “A coronal ejection from the sun is heading towards earth tonight which may cause the #NorthernLights to be visible.”
Look up tonight! A coronal ejection from the sun is heading towards earth tonight which may cause the #NorthernLights to be visible #auroraborealis pic.twitter.com/rmdHzr0zDn
— Max Tsaparis (@MaxTsaparis) December 9, 2020