Exciting Solar Storms Bring Auroras to Unexpected Locations
Written on
Chapter 1: A Glimpse of the Aurora Borealis
Experiencing a solar eclipse this year was incredible, but nothing compares to witnessing the northern lights, which I first encountered in the 1990s. While attending college in Michigan, I was playing soccer late at night when the sky exploded with vibrant colors. I had no idea the aurora borealis could be visible so far south. That unforgettable moment sparked a desire in me to see the phenomenon again.
This weekend might offer that opportunity—not just for me, but for many others. Depending on weather conditions, people may catch a glimpse of the auroras as far south as Alabama in the US and the northern regions of the UK. If you miss out, don’t worry; we are just entering the peak phase of the 11-year solar cycle that causes these stunning displays.
The Sun: A Dynamic Force
It’s easy to think of the sun as a mere source of light, but it’s actually a dynamic sphere filled with turbulent nuclear activity, regularly ejecting vast amounts of charged particles into space during what are known as “solar storms.”
Left: Extreme ultraviolet imaging of the sun’s surface showing a solar flare from May 10, 2024. Right: An illustration demonstrating how solar storms interact with Earth’s magnetic field to create auroras. Image credits: NASA/SDO, and VectorMine via stock.adobe.com.
Most of the ejected material either bypasses Earth or is deflected by our protective magnetic field. However, near the poles, the magnetic field captures some of these particles. When these high-speed solar particles collide with nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere, they emit light, producing the stunning colors of the auroras—green from nitrogen and blue or red from oxygen.
Understanding Aurora Seasons
Auroras arise during solar storms, and when they happen in the northern hemisphere, they are referred to as aurora borealis, while those in the southern hemisphere are called aurora australis. Solar storms occur on an 11-year cycle, and we are currently approaching the peak of this cycle, with this year’s storms being notably powerful.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) rates these storms on a “G-Scale,” where G1 represents the weakest storm and G5 the strongest. The storm expected to impact Earth this weekend is rated G4, marking the first G4 storm watch from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center since 2005. Such intense storms can disrupt radio and cell phone services, but they also provide a rare opportunity to see northern lights further south than usual.
Though there's no guarantee, this weekend presents one of the best chances to witness this breathtaking natural spectacle.
So, I plan to wake my kids tonight to search the skies for the enchanting glow of the auroras. If we don’t spot the lights, I’ll remind myself that the solar storm cycle won't reach its true peak until later this fall, so there may still be more chances to experience this astronomical wonder. And if the weather doesn’t cooperate, we might just enjoy a late-night soccer game under the stars instead.