Autumn is the best time to view the Northern Lights or aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere. This year's light show is especially significant due to geomagnetic activity in the Earth's atmosphere.
The visibility of aurora borealis at the north pole and aurora australis in the south pole is dependent on solar activity and the Earth's magnetic field. The lights appear as the sun emits charged particles into space then collides with oxygen and nitrogen particles in Earth's atmosphere.
From September 27 until the 29th, geomagnetic storm watches G1 and G2 will occur according to the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Also known as solar storms, these storms are temporary disturbances of the Earth's magnetosphere due to solar wind or another magnetic field interacting with the planet's magnetic field.
Northern Lights in the United States
In the current solar storm watches, they are solar coronal mass ejection or solar wind occurring at high speed from a coronal hole. Coronal holes are the Sun's dark spots or cold areas, have low-density plasma, and lower energy and gas levels than other areas of the giant star.
As the solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetic field, the magnetosphere has increase energy, plasma movement, and electric fields, making the aurora lights more intense. On September 29, the Northern Lights will be visible over the United States as a G2 storm is expected, meaning that solar wind activity will be coming from a larger coronal hole. The SWPC also mapped out how far south the aurora will be seen, reaching states such as Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and the New England states.
According to an SWPC spokesperson, the best way to view the Northern Lights is when the skies are clear, dark, and no trees, hills, or urban lights. As the lights are reaching southern areas, they may be visible along the northern horizon.
In Europe, a group of photographers who call themselves "aurora hunters" and the groups This is the Arctic and Visit Arctic Europe have been broadcasting live feeds of the Northern Lights since September 11. These explorers have gone to wilderness areas in Finland, Norway, and Sweden to share their side of the Arctic skies.
Read Also: How to Watch the Northern Lights Virtually
Solar Activity
The frequency of solar wind affecting Earth's atmosphere is also a factor of the solar cycle. NASA recently announced that the solar cycle 25 officially began, meaning that the Sun's activity will continue to increase over the next few months.
Scientists have been keeping track of the Sun's activity as it affects space weather. Tracking and predicting space weather is essential as it affects activity on Earth as well as objects in orbit such as satellites. Currently, space weather projections are particularly important with the upcoming missions to the Moon and Mars to ensure the safety of equipment and astronauts exploring space.
Read Also: Aurora Borealis May Have Contributed to Sinking of Titanic, Suggests Meteorological Researcher
Check out more news and information on Aurora on Science Times.
