Third Time Could Prove Lucky for Aurora Viewers Around the World

Agencies

Washington: Those who missed the stunning auroras illuminating the night skies earlier this weekend will have another opportunity on Sunday evening, as the potent geomagnetic storm affecting Earth is expected to escalate once more.

The US National Weather Service stated, “Several intense Coronal Mass Ejections are still anticipated to impact Earth’s outer atmosphere by later today.”

These ejections, which are expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun, have produced remarkable celestial displays since Friday across wide areas of the Earth, extending beyond the extreme latitudes where auroras are typically observed.

Despite some viewers being disappointed, often due to overcast skies, the latest forecast suggests a promising chance to witness magnificent auroras further south than usual.

Keith Ryden, from the Surrey Space Centre in England, noted that the latest Coronal Mass Ejections are expected to arrive late Sunday or early Monday, potentially causing severe or extreme geomagnetic storms once again.

However, it’s mentioned that the intensity of the display on Sunday night might not match Friday’s spectacle. Mathew Owens, a space physics professor at the University of Reading, indicated that this is likely the final Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejection from this particular solar activity.

Nonetheless, the excitement over the phenomenon persists, with a geomagnetic storm warning in effect until 2:00 am Monday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center anticipates auroras as far south as New York, northern Iowa, and Washington State.

Friday marked the first “extreme” geomagnetic storm since the “Halloween Storms” of October 2003, generating global excitement and leading to captivating photos of colorful night skies from Mont Saint-Michel to Tasmania.

The article also explains the science behind auroras and the potential impacts of geomagnetic storms on power and communication networks. China’s National Center for Space Weather issued a “red alert,” warning of potential disruptions to communications and navigation.

Unlike solar flares, which travel at the speed of light, Coronal Mass Ejections move at a slower pace. People are encouraged to capture the night sky with phone cameras, even if auroras aren’t visible to the naked eye.

Finally, the article touches on the impact of geomagnetic storms on spacecraft and even on species like pigeons, which rely on internal biological compasses.