Aurora chasers, prepare yourselves for a potential celestial treat! A colossal blob of charged particles, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), is hurtling towards Earth following a powerful X-class solar flare. This CME, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, is expected to collide with our planet sometime between Saturday night (August 17th) and early Sunday morning (August 18th). This impact will likely cause a minor to moderate geomagnetic storm, disrupting some satellite operations, potentially triggering radio blackouts, and pushing the mesmerizing auroras, or northern lights, further south than usual.
While NOAA cannot pinpoint the exact time of impact or the intensity of the storm, they predict the possibility of auroras being visible in states along the US-Canada border starting Saturday night. The auroral activity could intensify into Sunday, depending on the strength of the incoming solar eruption. The CME originated from the sun on August 14th, following the eruption of an enormous X-class solar flare – the most potent category of solar outbursts. These flares occur when tangled magnetic field lines in the sun’s atmosphere abruptly snap and reconnect, releasing powerful bursts of electromagnetic radiation into space.
Often accompanying powerful flares are CMEs, which move more slowly through space than flares and typically reach Earth several days after the solar outburst. Earth’s magnetic field acts as a protective shield against the barrage of charged particles that make up CMEs, although events like the infamous Carrington Event of 1859 demonstrate that this shield is not always completely impenetrable. As these particles travel along our planet’s magnetic field lines, they energize and excite molecules in the atmosphere, causing them to release energy in the form of vibrant, colorful light – the captivating auroras.
Solar flares, CMEs, and auroras become more common during solar maximum, the peak of the sun’s 11-year activity cycle. While scientists initially predicted that the current cycle’s peak would arrive in 2025, recent observations suggest that we may be in the midst of solar maximum already.
Even if you miss the potential auroral display this weekend, be assured that more opportunities to witness the northern lights will likely emerge in the coming months. To maximize your chances of viewing this awe-inspiring phenomenon, venture away from artificial light sources, utilizing a dark-sky map if needed. Auroras are visible to the naked eye, but a smartphone camera can capture the atmospheric light show with enhanced sensitivity. For optimal results, a dedicated astrophotography camera can work wonders.
