There is a possibility of witnessing a stunning celestial display in Canada on Thursday night. The sun has emitted three coronal mass ejections (CME) heading towards Earth. CMEs are massive releases of solar particles that move swiftly on the solar wind. When these particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, they can produce captivating northern lights, also known as aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere and aurora australis in the southern hemisphere.
These phenomena often follow solar flares, where magnetic fields become intertwined and then suddenly release intense radiation bursts that can disrupt radio signals on Earth. Tamitha Skov, a space weather physicist and professor at Millersville University, highlighted the occurrence of three Earth-directed solar storms originating from the same sunspot area designated as 4246.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center mentioned a likelihood of a moderate geomagnetic storm late on October 16 UTC, potentially affecting viewers in the western regions. The timing of the storm’s impact remains uncertain, as it could arrive earlier or later than anticipated. The storm may extend into Friday but is expected to be less intense.
Compared to the powerful storms of 2024, this current event is forecasted to be a moderate G2 on the geomagnetic storm scale. To enhance the chances of observing the lights, individuals are advised to venture to dark-sky locations away from city lights with clear northern horizons. Specific conditions must align for the aurora borealis to be visible at lower latitudes than usual, including Earth-directed CMEs, fast solar winds, and a southward dip in the auroral hole.
To determine the visibility of the aurora borealis in their area, individuals can utilize apps such as Aurora Alerts and Aurora Forecast. While the expected storm may not be as intense as previous ones, it still presents an opportunity for a mesmerizing natural spectacle.