A series of geomagnetic disturbances that left the Sun heading towards Earth in recent days could give some inhabitants of the northern hemisphere a light show in the form of the northern lights during the next week.
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said solar storm influences from what are known as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and a High Velocity Coronal Hole Stream already reached Earth on Sunday, with effects that They will last until Friday night.
Aurora lights were already seen early Sunday morning in Washington, Wyoming and Maine.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Riverton, Wyoming, shared the photo below of the bright amber sky taken early Sunday morning.
Dancing lights were also seen outside Seattle. Skunkbay Weather captured the green hues early Sunday morning in the video that leads this story.
A geomagnetic storm alert was issued prior to the event’s arrival and warned of possible interference with spacecraft communications systems and operations.
NOAA’s SWPC said moderate G2 storms were observed Sunday and are likely to continue Sunday night into Monday.
If NOAA experts believe the event could be stronger than originally predicted, the alert could be upgraded to a higher level.
The Northern Lights seen over Riverton, Wyoming, on November 5, 2023.NWS Riverton
During major geometric storms, widespread power outages are possible and communication systems are subject to failure.
“Solar magnetic variability regulates the frequency and severity of space weather phenomena and hazards, which can interfere with the power grid, degrade GPS signals, increase the orbital drag of satellites, and pose radiation risks to space crews. airlines and astronauts,” the SWPC said.
Failure to anticipate the strength of a geomagnetic storm in 2022 was blamed for the loss of more than three dozen SpaceX satellites that became inoperable and burned up in Earth’s atmosphere.
The Northern Lights were seen in Seattle, Washington, on November 5, 2023. YouTube/@skunkbayweather
Aurora intensity forecasts are challenging
Space experts admit that determining the exact strength of the activity is a challenge.
However, in this event, NOAA’s SWPC expects parts of the world to once again reach at least a level 6 out of 9 on the Kp index scale by Sunday night.
The highest Kp observed in the last 24 hours was already a level 6 on the NOAA scale, according to SWPC’s 3-day aurora forecast, and auroras were observed early Sunday morning from Washington to Wyoming and Maine.
Aurora forecast for Sunday and Monday nights in the US and Canada. NOAA
It is forecast to fall to level 3 on the Kp index scale later on Monday, indicating weaker activity.
The scale is used to characterize the magnitude of geomagnetic activity, and when values reach at least 7, cities like Seattle and Green Bay, Wisconsin, begin to see significant chances of witnessing the northern lights if skies are clear and light pollution it is low. .
The University of Alaska Fairbanks aurora forecast shows another increase in northern lights activity possible Thursday night.
Sky coverage forecast for North America on November 6, 2023.FOX Weather
Cloud cover may impede viewing, and large areas of the northern US are forecast to be under a decent cloud cover Monday night into Tuesday morning, as is common during the fall and winter.
Geomagnetic storms likely to become more frequent
Geomagnetic storms could become more frequent over the next year as the sun begins to move into the solar maximum phase of its 11-year cycle.
A solar cycle is a sequence that the sun’s magnetic field goes through every 11 years, where the field reverses.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn