Latest news with #GeomagneticStorm
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Geomagnetic Storm Watch issued with Northern Lights possible from New York to Washington state
NEW YORK – While the ground may feel like it's on fire as a heat dome continues to scorch the U.S. this week, the sky could resemble dancing flames Wednesday night and early Thursday as charged particles from the Sun are barreling toward our planet, creating the chance to see the Northern Lights. Forecasters with NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) have been monitoring a feature on the Sun known as a coronal hole – areas on the surface of the Sun with cooler, less dense plasma. These dark areas on the Sun, as seen in satellite images, can produce space weather events known as coronal hole high-speed streams (CH HSS), which can trigger Northern Lights on Earth. Due to the recurrent, negative polarity CH HSS influence, NOAA space weather forecasts are predicting minor (G1) to moderate (G2) geomagnetic storming between Wednesday and Thursday, based on NOAA's five-level scale. A Geomagnetic Storm Watch is in place through Thursday. What Causes The Northern Lights? Under these conditions, the Aurora Borealis may be seen across the northern tier of the U.S. and the Upper Midwest, in areas as far south as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state. If you're within the Northern Lights viewing area on late Wednesday or early Thursday, a dark sky will help your chances of seeing the bright dancing lights in the sky. Move away from city lights or turn off artificial light sources outside and look north. Even if you can't see the lights with the naked eye, use your smartphone's night mode, and you might be surprised by what you see. During severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storms, the lights could be seen as far south as the Gulf article source: Geomagnetic Storm Watch issued with Northern Lights possible from New York to Washington state
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Northern Lights show surprises NASA astronaut on ISS
A Nasa astronaut on the International Space Station was recently surprised by a beautiful display of the Northern Lights while trying to photograph active storms on Earth. Astronaut Nichole Ayers shared the video above showing aurora lights dancing over the Earth's poles on May 23. "The Aurora showed up this last weekend when I wasn't expecting it!" Ayers wrote on X. "I was trying to capture the massive storms that went through both North and South America and got a nice surprise." The astronaut said the aurora lights appeared around sunset over the northern U.S. and Canada. Under the right space weather conditions, people on Earth in those areas could have seen the lights, too. At the time of the aurora lights, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issued a Geomagnetic Storm Warning with KP levels forecast to reach 6 out of 9. Vivid Northern Lights are created when energized particles from the Sun interact with oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's magnetic field. During these space weather reactions, different molecules create different colors of light. Ayers launched to the ISS from Florida in March as part of NASA's Crew-10 mission with SpaceX. Since arriving at the station this spring, Ayers has enjoyed sharing amazing views of the Earth from space. One of her first time-lapse videos included this display of aurora lights in late article source: Northern Lights show surprises NASA astronaut on ISS
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern Lights could dazzle portions of US from New York to Washington on Thursday
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) said the Northern Lights may be visible in parts of the Lower 48 states after a Geomagnetic Storm Warning was issued on Thursday. How To Watch Fox Weather The SWPC rates solar storms on a five-level scale, with five being the most extreme and rarest space weather conditions. Moderate, level 2 out of 5, geomagnetic storming is possible on Thursday. Download The Free Fox Weather App At that level, the SWPC said power grid fluctuations could occur, and high-latitude power systems may even experience voltage alarms. In addition, satellite orientation irregularities may occur, and increased drag on low-Earth orbit satellites is possible. Because of the geomagnetic storm, the SWPC said the Northern Lights may be visible farther south than usual on Thursday. Scientists said the Northern Lights may be visible as far south as New York to Wisconsin to Washington article source: Northern Lights could dazzle portions of US from New York to Washington on Thursday
