Dream of witnessing the mesmerizing northern lights but never ventured to Alaska or Canada? Well, tonight might just be your chance.
The aurora borealis, a breathtaking natural phenomenon, is typically confined to specific regions of the world. However, on Monday night (March 25), there's a possibility of spotting it as far south as the midwestern United States.
While the northern lights are commonly associated with the Arctic Circle, Americans may be treated to a rare sight tonight.
This opportunity arises as the entire planet experiences space weather, coinciding with a penumbral lunar eclipse on Monday night.
Auto DraftThese celestial disturbances are triggered by coronal mass ejections—outbursts of plasma from the Sun's outer atmosphere.
As these particles collide with Earth's magnetic field, they produce the stunning spectacle we know as the northern lights.
Already, a significant geomagnetic storm is underway in the US, with potent solar eruptions potentially affecting radio communications.
Even residents as far south as Alabama and Northern California could catch a glimpse of the auroras soon.
Following satellite observations of a solar flare on Sunday (March 24), NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issued an alert for the electromagnetic storm. Although downgraded from G4 to a minor G2 storm on NOAA's scale, it still warrants attention.
In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement addressing the situation: "While there have been no reported disruptions to the electrical grid or radio communication, State personnel are actively monitoring and coordinating with industry stakeholders and the federal government."
Auto DraftSolar activity is occurring as the 11-year solar cycle appears to be approaching its peak later this year.
According to Dr. Stuart Ryder, an astronomer at Macquarie University: "It goes from a relatively benign, calm state with very few sunspots on the surface to a very active phase about five or six years later, with a maximum number of sun spots."
"It's much more likely to release huge flares of energy, enormous quantities of charged particles radiating away from the sun … their characteristic colors are green or red but people report blues, yellows, even purples."
"The more powerful the flare and the more it puts out, the greater the chance that people who live more towards the equator might get to see them."
According to NOAA, the optimal time to observe the northern lights tonight is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
