Today's geomagnetic storm may provide Americans with the opportunity to glimpse the Northern Lights.
The extreme weather is unlikely to cause us any significant difficulties. Still, solar flare might disrupt electrical systems and communications, according to Space.com.
Northern lights (aurora borealis) illuminate the sky over Reinfjorden in Reine, on Lofoten Islands, Arctic Circle, on September 8, 2017.
Solar Storm Could Cause Aurora in New York, Idaho
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says there's a small probability that solar storm leftovers would cause aurora to be visible as far south as New York and Idaho, starting about 9 p.m. ET tonight.
Based on NOAA's five-level solar storm scale obtained by Daily Mail, the impending storms were rated as a G2 on Monday and a G1 on Tuesday (G5 being the most extreme).
According to NOAA (per Live Science), Earth encounters around 2,000 category G1 and G2 solar storms per decade, and is now in the midst of a moderate solar storm streak.
The most recent G2 storm touched Earth on Sunday (March 13), going over early in the morning without causing any problem.
Geomagnetic Storms Explained
According to Science Alert, geomagnetic storms occur when the Earth's magnetic field is suddenly disrupted.
Bursts of radiation from the sun create this. The northern lights, or aurora borealis, can be seen in various parts worldwide during a geomagnetic storm.
The sun produces powerful solar winds, also known as coronal mass ejections, during these bursts of radiation.
According to the United States Geological Survey, these winds disrupt Earth's magnetic field and create electric currents in the atmosphere.
Geomagnetic Storms' Effect in the United States
Depending on the storm's strength, a geomagnetic storm might have a variety of effects on life on Earth. NOAA Space Weather Scale determines the severity of a storm. They classify the strength from G1 to 5.
Deseret News said some Americans could see the aurora borealis caused by the solar storms based on the following levels:
G1: Mild
Some small power grid oscillations can occur at this level, causing limited interruption to spacecraft. Some northern light lights can be observed in the northern parts of the United States;
G2: Moderate
High-latitude power systems may experience minor disruptions, ground control may have to realign spacecraft, and northern lights can be seen as far south as Idaho and New York;
G3: Strong
Power grid voltage adjustments may be necessary, low-orbit satellites may drag, low-frequency radio difficulties may develop, and northern lights may be seen as far south as Illinois and Oregon.
G4: Severe
A widespread power outage is possible, spacecraft tracking issues are possible, satellite navigation may be affected, and northern lights can be visible as far south as northern California and Alabama.
G5: Extreme
Some power grid systems may face full blackouts, radiofrequency and satellite navigation may be disrupted for hours, and the northern lights in Florida and southern Texas may be visible.
How to See Northern Lights in the United States
As mentioned earlier, the northern lights may be visible in the United States as far south as Idaho and as far north as New York during a G2 storm.
Nordic Visitor shared are some recommendations for seeing the lights:
- Know when and where the lights will appear. Check for storm alerts and keep an eye out for when they will appear in your region.
- Go as far north as you can. The lights will be more apparent the further north you go.
- Look for a gloomy place. The northern lights will not be seen in areas with a lot of light pollution. To view the lights in their best impact, you'll need to go somewhere secluded, dark, and rural.
RELATED ARTICLE: Solar Flare Warning: Geomagnetic Storm That Will Hit Earth On Monday May Pose Rare 'Triple Threat' From Space
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