The Aurora forecast predicts a range of strong solar events taking place. This has resulted in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issuing a powerful geomagnetic storm warning today.
Strong Geomagnetic Storms
This geomagnetic storm is good news for many who are waiting to see the northern lights. The Aurora forecast stated that deep auroras will be sparking into mid-latitudes and will be seen as far as in California, Missouri and Oregon.
A Coronal Mass Ejection
The Aurora forecast reveals this to be a large bunch of plasma and magnetic field that is known as coronal mass ejection (CME). It gets released from the sun when a solar flare takes place. It is known to be among one of the most powerful classes of solar flares.
During the X-flare the Coronal Mass ejection released is presently speeding and heading towards the Earth and it is thought to arrive today. These Coronal mass ejections carry atoms that are electrically charged called ions.
When these ions come in contact with the magnetosphere of Earth, they lead to geomagnetic storms. When these storms occur, these electrically charged ions interact with gasses present in the atmosphere of Earth. These gases emit energy as light.
A Coronal Hole
The side of the Earth facing the sun has something called a Coronal Hole. These holes emerge as dark regions in the outer atmosphere of the sun. This atmosphere is also known as Sun’s Corona. They consist of a magnetic field that is open and unipolar allowing solar winds to evade into space.
It is this stream of fast solar winds and the influence of the CME that is causing the G3 magnetic storm according to Aurora forecast.
Conclusion
These CMEs offer you a chance to witness the northern lights, a rare experience that many countries do not have. If you find yourself in one the regions mentioned above, don’t miss out on this rare occasion.
Key Points
- The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic storm warning due to strong solar events.
- The forecast predicts deep auroras visible as far south as California, Missouri, and Oregon.
- A Coronal Mass Ejection from an X-flare is speeding towards Earth, causing the geomagnetic storm and enhancing auroras.
