Northern Lights Illuminate the Sky Across 22 States Tonight
A recent powerful solar event is set to produce a spectacular aurora display visible across many parts of the United States tonight.
Solar Flare and Coronal Mass Ejection
On November 5, the sun released a significant M7.4 solar flare accompanied by a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), which is a massive burst of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s outer layer. This CME was traveling at speeds between 2.5 and 3.1 million miles per hour, according to Space.com.
Predicted Arrival and Geomagnetic Storm
The CME was expected to reach Earth late on November 6 or early November 7. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center anticipated it would trigger strong G3 geomagnetic storm conditions. NOAA stated:
“Watches have been issued for these times with moderate to high confidence in timing, and moderate confidence in magnitude.”
Impact on Auroras
If the CME arrives as forecasted, it could enhance auroras from the poles down to the US Midwest, offering prime conditions for Northern Lights enthusiasts.
“A whole train of big #solarstorms are on their way, along with some smaller storms hitting now, and some fast solar wind! It is an #aurora photographer’s dream starting now and lasting at least through the weekend,” said space weather physicist Tamitha Skov on X.
Who Will See the Aurora?
- Stargazers in New York
- Residents across 22 states including parts of the US Midwest
- Potentially visible in both northern and southern hemispheres as northern and southern lights
This rare celestial event provides a captivating opportunity for many across a large region to witness the beauty of the northern and southern lights under strong solar storm conditions.
Summary: A fast-moving solar flare and CME are expected to create vivid auroras visible across 22 US states tonight, offering a rare and impressive light show for skywatchers and photographers.