A stunning display of northern lights illuminated the skies over a lake in Minnesota, captivating onlookers with its ethereal beauty. This enchanting natural phenomenon was just a preview of what is to come, as a powerful geomagnetic storm is set to light up the skies over the US and Europe tonight.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a geomagnetic storm warning for today, September 16. This rare celestial event is the result of two significant solar events that have occurred recently, setting the stage for a spectacular display of auroras.
The first event is a coronal mass ejection (CME) that was released from the sun during a massive X-class solar flare on September 14. This X4.5 solar flare, one of the most powerful types of solar flares, peaked at 11:29 a.m. EDT. The CME associated with this solar flare is currently hurtling towards Earth and is expected to arrive today. When the charged particles from the CME interact with Earth’s magnetosphere, they can trigger geomagnetic storms, creating a breathtaking display of lights in the sky.
The second solar event contributing to this geomagnetic storm is a coronal hole on the Earth-facing side of the sun. Coronal holes are dark regions in the sun’s corona that have an open, unipolar magnetic field structure, allowing solar wind to escape more easily into space. The combination of this fast solar wind stream and the incoming CME has prompted the issuance of a G3 geomagnetic storm watch by NOAA.
Geomagnetic storms are classified using a G-scale that measures their intensity, with G1 being the least severe and G5 being the most extreme. The predicted G3 conditions for tonight suggest that the auroras could be visible as far south as California, Missouri, and Oregon, providing a rare opportunity for skywatchers in these regions to witness the spectacle of the northern lights.
The exact timing of the geomagnetic storm’s arrival is uncertain, as space weather forecasting can be challenging due to its unpredictable nature. However, current forecasts indicate that the G3 geomagnetic storm conditions are likely to occur on September 16. Space weather physicist Tamitha Skov has suggested that the storm may arrive late in the day, possibly deflected further east by a fast solar wind stream.
To stay updated on the progress of the geomagnetic storm and the potential arrival of the CME, space weather forecaster Sara Housseal’s account on social media is recommended for regular updates. Additionally, utilizing space weather apps like “My Aurora Forecast & Alerts” and “Space Weather Live” can help skywatchers track the predicted conditions based on their location and plan the best time to view the auroras.
Tonight’s geomagnetic storm promises to be a breathtaking sight for those fortunate enough to witness it. As the northern lights dance across the sky, illuminating the darkness with their otherworldly glow, viewers in the US and Europe are in for a celestial treat that should not be missed. Be sure to keep an eye on the skies and take advantage of this rare opportunity to witness the beauty of nature’s light show.
