Skywatchers across 18 states in the US can anticipate seeing the Aurora. This event is set to begin on Friday (June 13) as a “moderate” geomagnetic storm that will disturb the Earth’s magnetic field.
On Wednesday (June 11), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center released a first alert for G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms that will begin on Saturday (June 14). On Friday, they issued an updated warning suggesting the storm could start that very day. These space weather phenomena are expected to conclude by Sunday (June 15) or Monday (June 16).
The interference might escalate to a G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm over the weekend, according to Spaceweather.com. However, this is not guaranteed. Some sources suggest that the storm could reach G4 (serious) status, based on a statement from the US Navy Institute explaining the effects of a prior G4 storm. This occurred earlier this month, and future storms may not be as intense or frequent.
A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field or magnetosphere caused by fluctuations in the solar wind, typically initiated by large clouds of magnetized particles known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). In this instance, the interference originates from the turbulence of solar winds resulting from a co-rotating interaction area—a rapid flow that collides with the slower wind in front of it, generated by a significant “coronal hole” on the sun’s surface.
These disturbances can compress the Earth’s magnetosphere, potentially leading to Aurora displays over a wider geographical range than usual. Additionally, they may cause temporary radio outages, damage to ground-based power infrastructure, and satellites falling from the sky as the Earth’s atmosphere absorbs and expands excess energy. (Geomagnetic storms are classified on a scale that ranks intensity from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme), the latter being extremely rare.)
Related: The US is not ready for a significant solar storm, study reveals
(Image credit: NASA/SDO)
The aurora may also be visible in parts of England and Europe. However, residents in these areas should not expect to see it with certainty due to factors such as cloudy weather, wildfire smoke, or moderate pollution that can obscure visibility.
Solar activity has been on the rise in recent years, entering solar max—a phase during which the sun’s magnetic field is entirely reversed. This cycle started in early 2024 and has progressed faster than originally anticipated, suggesting that we may be approaching the peak now. Nonetheless, solar activity is likely to remain elevated for several more years.
In May 2024, Earth experienced a G5 geomagnetic storm—the most potent in 21 years—producing some of the most extensive auroras seen in the past 500 years. This was triggered by at least five different CMEs that impacted our planet rapidly and successively. The storm’s intensity caused disruptions in tractors and other GPS-controlled machinery, leading to erratic movements across several states in the US.
Source: www.livescience.com