If you've seen some spectacular kaleidoscopic images of the Northern Lights in your social media today, you might be feeling some FOMO.
Due to a solar storm in space over the weekend, some areas of the globe have been treated to auroras — colorful light displays — in the sky. But if you missed catching a glimpse, you might have another chance this evening, depending on where in the world you live. Space weather forecasters say there's a possibility conditions will strengthen tonight.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is tracking the space weather for North America, reports that there is a moderate geomagnetic storm, classified at a level indicative of a significant disturbance in Earth's magnetic field. A geomagnetic storm happens when the sun releases solar flares or coronal mass ejections — plasma spewed from the sun's outer atmosphere — sending charged particles toward Earth.
That means that though this particular storm isn't extreme, it could make the aurora borealis visible farther south than normal, especially if the storm ramps up. Here's what to know:
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What causes an aurora?
An aurora's display of colors is the result of electrons shot out of the sun during solar storms. Though the sun is about 93 million miles away, its blasts can affect Earth and other parts of the solar system.
As the charged particles reach Earth, they travel along the planet's invisible magnetic field lines into the atmosphere, interacting with the air. When those particles strike gases, they heat up and glow, according to NASA. The colors differ depending on the type of gas those particles hit and the altitude. Oxygen glows red or blue, while nitrogen can create green, blue, or pink.
Why are solar storms happening more often now?
Similar to storm seasons on Earth, the sun experiences a weather pattern that repeats every 11 years. At the beginning and end of the cycle, that activity is at its calmest. But solar activity increases, climaxing in the middle of the cycle and causing the sun to roil with giant eruptions.
Right now that cycle seems to be peaking, reaching its maximum point. That's why reports of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, are more abundant in the news.
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Are geomagnetic storms dangerous?
Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere protect the planet from solar radiation that could potentially cause harmful health impacts, but that doesn't mean space weather can't affect our world in other ways. These events can have catastrophic consequences on technology, disrupting power grids, telecommunications, and GPS systems.
Though these incidents don’t happen often, a solar flare in March 1989, for example, caused all of Quebec, Canada, to experience a 12-hour power outage. It also jammed radio signals for Radio Free Europe.
The storm occurring now is not extreme, but it could cause power irregularities near the poles or disruptions to satellites orbiting Earth. But those concerns are more relevant to satellite operators and aerospace engineers than the average person.
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Where will the aurora be visible on June 2?
The aurora can't be seen during daylight hours, but space weather models are predicting it could be visible in some areas farther south after sunset. The Northern Lights could stretch within view of residents in New York, Wisconsin, and Washington state, according to a NOAA update just before 10 a.m. ET on June 2.
The aurora doesn't have to be directly overhead for it to be visible, so that means some observers might catch it from as much as 600 miles away if the conditions are right.
To increase your chances of witnessing it, seek out dark skies, far from city lights, and be patient: Auroras can be unpredictable. Be sure to check the latest viewline forecasts, such as NOAA's Aurora Dashboard, a platform that includes real-time predictions.
