By Georgina Elustondo
A powerful solar storm is heading towards Earth and could provide one of the most striking astronomical spectacles of the year. According to space weather experts, several coronal mass ejections emitted by the Sun will impact the Earth’s magnetic field, significantly increasing the chances of observing northern lights in areas where they do not normally appear.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a G3 geomagnetic storm alert, considered strong on the official scale. The phenomenon is related to several solar flares recorded in recent days, including a category X flare, one of the most intense that our star can produce.
In which states could the auroras be seen?
The best time to try to see the auroras will be during the night of Friday, June 5, after dark and away from light pollution. It could also be seen on Saturday in some places. NOAA maintains up-to-date tracking tools for forecast visibility overnight and into the early morning hours.
The best possibilities remain concentrated in the northern statesbut forecasts indicate that the lights could extend much further south if the storm intensifies.
Among the states with the highest probability are:
- Alaska
- Washington
- Oregon
- Idaho
- Mountain
- Wyoming
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- New York
- Vermont
- Recent Hampshire
- Maine
If geomagnetic activity reaches higher than expected levels, auroras could also be visible in parts of Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and even other areas of the Northeast and Midwest.
When will be the best time to look at the sky
Experts recommend observe the sky after dusk and before moonrise, when the darkness is greatest. The hours around midnight usually offer the best conditions.
NOAA warned that the exact intensity of the storm remains difficult to predict because several solar ejecta could interact with each other before reaching Earth.
How to increase your chances of seeing them
To better enjoy the phenomenon, you should:
- Get away from urban lights.
- Look for a clear view to the north.
- Consult NOAA aurora maps.
- Review geomagnetic activity tracking applications.
- Use the phone’s night mode to photograph them.
Why does this phenomenon occur?
Auroras occur when charged particles ejected by the Sun collide with the Earth’s magnetic field and gases in the atmosphere. That encounter releases energy in the form of colored lights that can be seen as green, red or violet curtains moving over the horizon.
Although these types of storms can also temporarily affect communications, satellite and GPS systems, for most people the most important consequence will be the possibility of seeing a spectacle that is normally reserved for the regions closest to the Arctic.
Where to follow information about the northern lights on the Web
The best official sites to follow the solar storm and the possible appearance of the northern lights in unswerving weather are:
- NOAA Aurora Dashboard: It is the most useful. It shows the auroral oval in unswerving time and allows you to see how far the auroras could reach in North America.
- NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center: Publishes alerts, forecasts and the level of geomagnetic storms (G1 to G5).
- Live Aurora Map: Updates every 30 minutes and shows where auroral activity is expected.
- My Aurora Forecast is a very popular application among fans. Send alerts when the probability of auroras near your location increases.
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