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A potent photo voltaic storm is on its method and will placed on a spectacular northern lights show for Labor Day throughout the U.S.
A quick-moving coronal mass ejection (CME), launched by a long-duration M2.7 flare from sunspot AR 4199 on Aug. 30, is predicted to slam into Earth’s magnetic discipline late on Sept. 1 into early Sept. 2 (UTC), in line with NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).
When it arrives, the CME is prone to spark a G2 (average) geomagnetic storm, intensifying to G3 (sturdy) ranges as the primary physique of the photo voltaic storm passes, NOAA says. That means auroras might lengthen a lot farther south than typical — giving thousands and thousands throughout the northern U.S. a shot at catching the lights.
What’s causing the aurora activity?
The incoming solar storm is the result of a powerful, Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME) that erupted from the sun on Aug. 30. CMEs are massive clouds of charged particles and magnetic field hurled from the sun‘s atmosphere. When they slam into Earth’s magnetic field, they can trigger geomagnetic storms and spark spectacular auroras and occasionally disrupt satellites, radio signals, and power grids.
NOAA modeling suggests the CME will arrive late on Sept. 1 into early Sept. 2 (UTC), potentially triggering G2 (moderate) to G3 (strong) geomagnetic storming.
However, this may be more than a typical CME event.
Space weather physicist Dr. Tamitha Skov pointed out that there may actually be two Earth-directed solar eruptions involved in this event, with one possibly catching up to and merging with the other. In a post on X, Skov defined that “the larger one catches up with the smaller one just ahead of Earth,” which might set off an preliminary disturbance earlier than the primary storm hits. “Impact is expected by late September 1. G2+ conditions possible,” she added. This sort of interplay, the place one CME overtakes one other, is called a “cannibal CME” — a chance which may be unfolding with this occasion.
Read extra: Aurora alert! Incoming cannibal photo voltaic storm might spark Labor Day northern lights present
Earth’s auroral oval is predicted to be “significantly enhanced” following the CME’s arrival, elevating the prospect of seen auroras as far south as East Anglia, the Midlands, and Wales below clear skies, in line with the U.K. Met Office.
When and where can you see the northern lights?
According to NOAA’s Kp index forecast, geomagnetic storming is predicted to construct by way of Sept. 2, peaking at Kp 6.67 (G3 storm) between 06:00 and 09:00 UTC (2 a.m. to five a.m. EDT) on Sept. 2.
That makes Monday night time into Tuesday morning (Sept. 1–2) one of the best window for aurora viewing. Additional minor to average storming could proceed into Tuesday night time, Sept. 2–3.
Based on the most recent NOAA aurora forecast map, the next 18 U.S. states seem absolutely or partially above the aurora view line:
States that would see the northern lights tonight
- Alaska
- Montana
- North Dakota
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Maine
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Idaho
- Washington
- Oregon
- New York
- Wyoming
- Iowa
- Nebraska
- Illinois
Auroras are extremely unpredictable, so even should you’re throughout the view line, your possibilities enhance with clear skies, low mild air pollution, and a great view going through north.
Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the Met Office
How to see the northern lights where you live
If you’re in one of the 18 U.S. states listed above, here are some tips for catching the display:
- Head to a dark location far from city lights.
- Find a north-facing view with a clear horizon.
- Look up around midnight to 2 a.m. local time, but keep watch as soon as skies darken.
- Be patient. Auroras often come in waves and can appear faint at first.
We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is “My Aurora Forecast & Alerts,” available for both iOS and Android. However, any comparable app ought to work effectively. I additionally use the “Space Weather Live” app, which is on the market on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether or not the present area climate circumstances are favorable for aurora sightings.
What is a G3 geomagnetic storm?
NOAA classifies geomagnetic storms on a scale from G1 (minor) to G5 (excessive). G3 storms can push auroras to latitudes as little as Illinois, New York, and Oregon, relying on native circumstances. They may also trigger radio disruptions and minor energy grid fluctuations in some areas.
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