A powerful solar eruption on October 1 has set the stage for another series of auroras. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic storm warning from October 3 to 5, potentially bringing the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) to unlikely places. According to forecasts, it might go as far south as Illinois and Oregon.
Another wave of aurora is caused by coronal mass ejection (CME), a massive cloud of plasma and magnetic field released from the sun during a recent X-class solar flare. When CMEs interact with Earth’s magnetosphere, they can trigger geomagnetic storms. During these storms, electrically charged particles collide with atmospheric gases, releasing energy that appears as the pink, purple or green lights that we see, admire, and of course – photograph.
The intensity of geomagnetic storms is measured with the G-scale, with G5 being the most extreme. The current geomagnetic storm watch is classified as G1 to G3. If the predicted G3 conditions are met, we could expect aurora borealis in more southern parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
According to current forecasts, G3 conditions are possible between October 3 and 5. However, keep in mind that space weather can be unpredictable. Solar storms like this can sometimes fizzle out and we might not see the celestial spectacle after all.
If you need some useful tips for shooting auroras, you’ll find plenty of them here. You can even send your photos to NASA and help them study solar storms! Make sure to check NOAA’s website for the most up-to-date information. Keep your cameras ready, your eyes on the sky, and your fingers crossed for a display of the Northern Lights.
