When a magnetic solar wind collides with the magnetic field of the Earth,
the Northern Lights appear.
Skywatchers in 17 American states should get the chance to see the Northern
Lights, the vibrant sky display that occurs when solar wind interacts with
the atmosphere, thanks to a solar storm predicted for Thursday.
The northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, are most frequently
observed in Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia, but an 11-year solar cycle that
will peak in 2024 is increasing their visibility in locations further south.
Arizona
witnessed the light displays three months ago, which marked the third significant geomagnetic storm since the start of
the current solar cycle in 2019.
On Thursday, aurora activity is expected across Alaska, Oregon, Washington,
Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Indiana, Maine, and Maryland,
according to the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska at
Fairbanks.
It has been predicted that Canada would experience auroras, including
Vancouver.
According to the institute, light shows should be visible overhead in
Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Helena, Montana, as well as low in the sky in
Salem, Oregon, Boise, Idaho, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Annapolis, Maryland, and
Indianapolis.
The optimum viewing hours are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time,
according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space
Weather Prediction Center, and people should avoid city lights.
A magnetic solar wind collides with the magnetic field of the Earth and
causes atoms in the upper atmosphere to light, resulting in the Northern
Lights. The lights fluctuate in intensity and emerge unexpectedly.
On a scale of zero to nine, the geomagnetic index Kp classifies auroral
activity, with zero denoting a low level of activity and nine denoting a
bright and active region. Kp 6 has been predicted by the Geophysical
Institute for the storm on Thursday.
