Solar flare could trigger Northern Lights show across North Tuesday night
A solar flare that erupted from the Sun on Sunday triggered an eruption of solar material that is set to pass through Earth on Tuesday night, perhaps triggering another show of the Northern Lights.
On Sunday, a solar flare erupted from the Sun, causing an ejection of solar material that is expected to pass through the Earth's atmosphere on Tuesday night and potentially create another appearance of the Northern Lights. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a level G2 Geomagnetic Storm Watch for Tuesday night on their five-point scale. While this storm won't be as intense as the extreme solar event on May 10 that brought the aurora as far south as the Gulf of Mexico, people in the northern part of the U.S., including Washington, Idaho, Montana, and the Dakotas, may be treated to a good show. Here are seven facts about this natural phenomenon:
1. Vivid displays of the Northern Lights typically occur a few days after solar events like coronal mass ejections or solar flares.
2. These events release a surge of electrons that interact with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's magnetic field surrounding our planet.
3. The optimal viewing time is usually between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. local time, though the intensity can vary as solar particles interact with the Earth's magnetic field.
4. For the best viewing experience, find a location with a clear northern horizon, away from city lights.
5. A bright moon can hinder optimal viewing conditions due to excess moonlight, but a sufficiently intense display can overcome this challenge.
6. Clear skies are essential for a good show, and fortunately, Mother Nature seems to be cooperating for viewers in the Northwest (except for areas affected by wildfire smoke) and the Dakotas. Fair conditions are expected in Minneapolis and the Northeast.
7. However, cloud cover is likely to obstruct the view in the Upper Great Lakes region.
1. Vivid displays of the Northern Lights typically occur a few days after solar events like coronal mass ejections or solar flares.
2. These events release a surge of electrons that interact with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's magnetic field surrounding our planet.
3. The optimal viewing time is usually between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. local time, though the intensity can vary as solar particles interact with the Earth's magnetic field.
4. For the best viewing experience, find a location with a clear northern horizon, away from city lights.
5. A bright moon can hinder optimal viewing conditions due to excess moonlight, but a sufficiently intense display can overcome this challenge.
6. Clear skies are essential for a good show, and fortunately, Mother Nature seems to be cooperating for viewers in the Northwest (except for areas affected by wildfire smoke) and the Dakotas. Fair conditions are expected in Minneapolis and the Northeast.
7. However, cloud cover is likely to obstruct the view in the Upper Great Lakes region.