Latest news with #SpaceWeather
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here are all the places in the US that you can see the northern lights tonight
People in some parts of the U.S. may be able to see the northern lights this evening. Weather permitting, residents of more than a dozen states could hit the jackpot, according to the most recent forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center - Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, and New York. For the best chance to catch the phenomenon, skywatchers should head to areas away from light pollution at around 2 a.m. local time. However, auroras can be fickle, showing up in areas other than where they are expected. The dazzling display is caused by an incoming coronal mass ejection: a burst of plasma and solar material released by the sun and headed our way. The result of this celestial event is often a geomagnetic storm, which is triggered when the eruption travels through space and interacts with Earth's magnetic field. 'A G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for 02 Jul (UTC day) due to the arrival of a CME that left the Sun on 28 Jun,' the center said in a post on social media. Geomagnetic storms are what create the aurora borealis, which is light produced when particles from space collide with atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere centered on Earth's magnetic pole. A G1 geomagnetic storm is the weakest on the scale of storms, which goes up to G5. In this minor storm, weak power grid fluctuations can occur, and a minor impact on satellite operations is possible. Stronger solar flares and coronal mass ejections can lead to radio blackouts and more severe spacecraft operation impacts, such as problems with orientation and tracking satellites. A radio blackout was observed earlier this month thanks to a strong flare. The sun is in what is known as its solar maximum period, meaning an increase in solar activity that has led to the most intense solar storm in decades and stunning displays of the northern lights across the country. Scientists have warned there may be 'much bigger' and disruptive storms en route in the coming years.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here are all the places in the US that you can see the northern lights tonight
People in some parts of the U.S. may be able to see the northern lights this evening. Weather permitting, residents of more than a dozen states could hit the jackpot, according to the most recent forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center - Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, and New York. For the best chance to catch the phenomenon, skywatchers should head to areas away from light pollution at around 2 a.m. local time. However, auroras can be fickle, showing up in areas other than where they are expected. The dazzling display is caused by an incoming coronal mass ejection: a burst of plasma and solar material released by the sun and headed our way. The result of this celestial event is often a geomagnetic storm, which is triggered when the eruption travels through space and interacts with Earth's magnetic field. 'A G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for 02 Jul (UTC day) due to the arrival of a CME that left the Sun on 28 Jun,' the center said in a post on social media. Geomagnetic storms are what create the aurora borealis, which is light produced when particles from space collide with atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere centered on Earth's magnetic pole. A G1 geomagnetic storm is the weakest on the scale of storms, which goes up to G5. In this minor storm, weak power grid fluctuations can occur, and a minor impact on satellite operations is possible. Stronger solar flares and coronal mass ejections can lead to radio blackouts and more severe spacecraft operation impacts, such as problems with orientation and tracking satellites. A radio blackout was observed earlier this month thanks to a strong flare. The sun is in what is known as its solar maximum period, meaning an increase in solar activity that has led to the most intense solar storm in decades and stunning displays of the northern lights across the country. Scientists have warned there may be 'much bigger' and disruptive storms en route in the coming years.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern Lights possible this week, Met Office says, thanks to solar storms
The Met Office says charge particles from two solar flares could crash into the Earth's atmosphere creating Northern lights displays for the next few days. Two recent Coronal Mass Ejections - when material from the Sun's surface is thrown into space, could collide with the Earth today, rushing towards the atmosphere thanks to high-speed solar winds. The Space Weather forecast reads: "There is the potential for two possible Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) arrivals, along with a possible connection to a high-speed solar wind stream later into July 3. These factors may lead to an expansion of the auroral oval, increasing the likelihood of aurora sightings across higher latitudes. "That said, significant displays remain unlikely due to the limited hours of darkness in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year." READ MORE: Government says stock up on nine emergency items as war risk increases READ MORE: My son's final words were 'dad did this and he did it on purpose' There are currently up to eleven sunspot regions on the visible surface of the Sun. Two region have shown some recent growth and could spark solar flares. No Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) were observed in the past 24hrs. The Met Office said solar activity is expected to increase to 'Unsettled to Active' with 'G1/Minor Storm (Kp5) intervals' on July 2 and 3 on Day 1 into Day 2 (02-03 Jul), and a Slight Chance of G2/Moderate Storm (Kp6). That means there is a possibility of seeing Northern Lights. Geomagnetic activity expected to lessen through the end of the week.
Wales Online
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Wales Online
Northern Lights possible this week, Met Office says, thanks to solar storms
Northern Lights possible this week, Met Office says, thanks to solar storms You will have to wait until it gets dark if you want to see the displays Northern Lights crown bursting with colour The Met Office says charge particles from two solar flares could crash into the Earth's atmosphere creating Northern lights displays for the next few days. Two recent Coronal Mass Ejections - when material from the Sun's surface is thrown into space, could collide with the Earth today, rushing towards the atmosphere thanks to high-speed solar winds. The Space Weather forecast reads: "There is the potential for two possible Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) arrivals, along with a possible connection to a high-speed solar wind stream later into July 3. These factors may lead to an expansion of the auroral oval, increasing the likelihood of aurora sightings across higher latitudes. "That said, significant displays remain unlikely due to the limited hours of darkness in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year." There are currently up to eleven sunspot regions on the visible surface of the Sun. Two region have shown some recent growth and could spark solar flares. No Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) were observed in the past 24hrs. The Met Office said solar activity is expected to increase to 'Unsettled to Active' with 'G1/Minor Storm (Kp5) intervals' on July 2 and 3 on Day 1 into Day 2 (02-03 Jul), and a Slight Chance of G2/Moderate Storm (Kp6). That means there is a possibility of seeing Northern Lights. Article continues below Geomagnetic activity expected to lessen through the end of the week.
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Tonight: 14 States May See Aurora And Milky Way
The Northern Lights may be visible in the U.S. overnight on Wednesday and Thursday just as the Milky Way appears in the night sky. The delayed arrival of a coronal mass ejection traveling towards Earth may cause a geomagnetic storm, according to the latest forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center . It follows a false alarm on July 1-2, but also notable displays of aurora in northern U.S. states in recent weeks. The 'river of stars' – the Milky Way – arching over the scenic bend of the Red Deer River, Alberta, ... More from the Orkney Viewpoint overlooking the Badlands and river valley, in a 270° panorama To the north at left, a weak aurora shines along the horizon. (Photo by: Alan Dyer/VW Pics/UIG via Getty Images) Universal Images Group via Getty Images NOAA's three-day forecast includes a minor geomagnetic storm, measured at a value of G1 on a scale of G1 to G5. According to NOAA's forecast, the Kp index — which provides a rough guide to the intensity of aurora displays — may reach 5. The G1 geomagnetic storm is forecast to peak in the evening hours of Wednesday, July 2. Although it's subject to change, the forecast means the geomagnetic storm may be occurring as darkness falls in the U.S. 'G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storming is likely 02-03 July due to the CME effects' stated NOAA on X (Twitter). An Earth-directed coronal mass ejection — a cloud of super-charged particles released by the sun — left on June 28. On Wednesday, the moon will have reached its bright first quarter phase, so aurora chasers will have to contend with some natural light pollution. Since the solstice occurred only two weeks ago, it doesn't get completely dark at night in late June near the U.S.-Canada border (and not at all in Alaska). The Northern Lights are caused by the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth's magnetic field. Charged particles accelerate along the magnetic field lines toward the polar regions, where they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, exciting them and causing them to release energy as light. NOAA's aurora viewline for July 2-3, 2025. NOAA NOAA's aurora viewlines indicate potential aurora displays are possible in northern U.S. states and Canada. U.S. states that may see aurora include (northerly parts of) Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. In the U.S., regions close to the Canadian border will have the highest chance. When and where aurora is visible is uncertain until a turbulent solar wind is detected by NASA's DSCOVR and ACE satellites. Orbiting the sun from around a million miles from Earth, they give a roughly 30-minute warning of aurora displays after measuring the solar wind's speed and magnetic intensity. Check NOAA's 30-minute forecast or use the Glendale App for up-to-the-minute forecasts. Be prepared to fail — it may take multiple trips to finally see aurora, as displays can be unpredictable. The Milky Way In June Early July is a great time to see the Milky Way. Although it's visible from the Northern Hemisphere all year, its bright core only becomes visible in the southern sky after dark from late May through September. The bright core is the center of the galaxy, home to a dense concentration of stars, star clusters and nebulae. You'll need to be away from light pollution to see it. Further Reading Forbes Bootid Meteor Shower: How To See 'Shooting Stars' On Friday By Jamie Carter Forbes A Comet 85 Miles Wide Is Erupting In The Solar System — What To Know By Jamie Carter Forbes NASA Urges Public To Leave The City As Milky Way Appears — 15 Places To Go By Jamie Carter
