Latest news with #geomagneticstorm
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
See NASA's image of an intense X-class solar flare
NASA captured an image of an intense solar flare released by the sun on Tuesday evening. The solar flare peaked at 5:49 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory said. It was an X-class flare — the most intense kind, NASA said. Solar flares are essentially "giant explosions on the sun" that send energy, light and high-speed particles into space, according to NASA. An image captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the sun, colorized in teal to draw attention to the flare. The flare is visible as a bright flash at the center of the sun. The heat of a solar flare causes it to appear bright. The energy from solar flares can be disruptive, NASA says on its website. Flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids and navigation signals. They also can pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts. Solar flares are also often associated with coronal mass ejections, or CMEs. CMEs are huge bubbles of coronal plasma that the sun occasionally ejects, NASA says online. Often, CMEs look like "huge, twisted ropes," NASA says, because they involve the sun's magnetic fields. Coronal mass ejections can also disrupt radio and satellite communications, and can also cause geomagnetic storms on Earth. In May 2024, a powerful coronal mass ejection brought the strongest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years to Earth. During the CME, multiple X-class solar flares were recorded. The storm caused some radio blackouts. Another strong geomagnetic storm in October 2024 led to the northern lights being visible as far south as Florida and over bright areas like New York City and Chicago. Teen questioned after family's quadruple murder Iranians evacuate capital Tehran, some say the regime is frightened Parents, brother of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman speak about her death
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
See NASA's image of an intense X-class solar flare
NASA captured an image of an intense solar flare released by the sun on Tuesday evening. The solar flare peaked at 5:49 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory said. It was an X-class flare — the most intense kind, NASA said. Solar flares are essentially "giant explosions on the sun" that send energy, light and high-speed particles into space, according to NASA. An image captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the sun, colorized in teal to draw attention to the flare. The flare is visible as a bright flash at the center of the sun. The heat of a solar flare causes it to appear bright. The energy from solar flares can be disruptive, NASA says on its website. Flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids and navigation signals. They also can pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts. Solar flares are also often associated with coronal mass ejections, or CMEs. CMEs are huge bubbles of coronal plasma that the sun occasionally ejects, NASA says online. Often, CMEs look like "huge, twisted ropes," NASA says, because they involve the sun's magnetic fields. Coronal mass ejections can also disrupt radio and satellite communications, and can also cause geomagnetic storms on Earth. In May 2024, a powerful coronal mass ejection brought the strongest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years to Earth. During the CME, multiple X-class solar flares were recorded. The storm caused some radio blackouts. Another strong geomagnetic storm in October 2024 led to the northern lights being visible as far south as Florida and over bright areas like New York City and Chicago. Teen questioned after family's quadruple murder Iranians evacuate capital Tehran, some say the regime is frightened Parents, brother of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman speak about her death
Forbes
4 days ago
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Alert: 8 States May See Aurora Borealis Monday Night
Some geomagnetic storm conditions are expected Monday, possibly making the northern lights visible in several states in the northern U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA forecast auroral activity with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Monday night, suggesting the northern lights will be 'quite pleasing to look at' for those in the right areas. Periods of 'minor' geomagnetic storms are possible Monday because of 'influences' of high-speed winds from a cooler, less dense spot on the sun's surface, NOAA said. Monday's auroral forecast indicates a maximum Kp index of nearly five may be reached, according to NOAA's three-day forecast, which shows the northern lights could become visible in parts of South Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. The best chance to see the northern lights is forecast for most of northern Canada and Alaska, with a lower likelihood expected in northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. (See map below.) Monday's view line. NOAA NOAA recommends traveling to a high vantage point away from light pollution to see the northern lights, which the agency said are best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. With a regular camera, photography experts told National Geographic that a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting is recommended. NOAA suggests using a tripod and enabling night mode if using a smartphone. Activity on the sun's surface peaked in October 2024, meaning the northern lights will likely be more visible into early 2026, NOAA and NASA projections suggest. This peak features an increase in solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which are responsible for auroral activity. Molecules of oxygen and nitrogen collide with electrons from these events, causing the electrons to become 'excited' before releasing energy in the form of light.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Alert: 10 States Could See Aurora Borealis Sunday Night
Nearly a dozen states in the northern U.S. may have an opportunity to see the northern lights Sunday as geomagnetic storms will likely disrupt Earth's magnetic field over the next two days, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA forecasts auroral activity with a Kp index of four on a scale of nine for Sunday night, suggesting the northern lights will be more active and move farther away from the poles than usual and could be 'quite pleasing to look at' for those in the right areas. Periods of 'minor' geomagnetic storms are likely Sunday and Monday because of 'influences' of high-speed winds from a cooler, less dense spot on the sun's surface, NOAA said. Auroral forecasts for Sunday and Monday indicate a maximum Kp index near five for either night, according to NOAA's three-day forecast, which shows the northern lights may become visible in parts of Wyoming, Iowa, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont. The highest chance is forecast across northern Canada and Alaska, while a lesser opportunity is expected in northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota, Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and northern Maine. (See map below.) Sunday's view line. NOAA NOAA recommends traveling to a high vantage point away from light pollution between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. The agency said it's best to find an area with an unobstructed view toward the north. NASA and NOAA recommend using a tripod if using a smartphone or a regular camera while enabling a slower shutter speed and a focus set to the furthest possible setting. With a smartphone, NOAA suggests enabling night mode and disabling flash. The northern lights are expected to be more visible into early 2026 after activity reached a 'solar maximum' in October 2024, according to NOAA and NASA. This peak represents an increase in solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections during the sun's 11-year cycle, which are responsible for auroral activity. Electrons from these events collide with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to become 'excited' before releasing energy in the form of colorful, swirling lights.
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: 10 States Could See Aurora Borealis Friday
Intermittent geomagnetic storming may produce strong northern lights displays this week, and nearly a dozen states may have the chance to see aurora borealis Friday night, according to the latest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast. The northern lights may be visible in some states Friday night. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via ... More Getty Images) Friday night's northern lights forecast has a Kp index of 4, measured on a scale of 0 to 9, indicating 'more auroral activity' that can be 'quite pleasing to look at.' NOAA issued a geomagnetic storm warning early Friday, projecting a G2 level storm, indicating moderate strength, noting the storm could pull the northern lights southward as far as northern New York. The stormy conditions are expected to continue this week: NOAA issued a storm watch for Saturday, projecting a 'coronal hole high speed stream'—meaning solar wind may escape the sun and travel toward Earth, likely producing a moderate geomagnetic storm. Saturday night's preliminary northern lights forecast looks as strong as Friday night's forecast, according to NOAA, with a Kp index of 4 and about 10 states included within the view line. Alaskans and Canadians have the best chance of viewing the northern lights Friday night, according to NOAA's forecast. Other states with strong chances include Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota. States included along the aurora's view line, its southern boundary of visibility projected by NOAA, include Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine. Friday night's northern lights forecast. The lights are brightest from about 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time, NOAA says. The agency recommends finding a high vantage point, traveling as far north as possible and avoiding light pollution to get the best view. Travel photographers told National Geographic the best way to capture the lights is by using a tripod for stability, a lower shutter speed, a wide-angle lens and night mode, if using an iPhone. The northern lights have made frequent appearances in American skies over the past year because the sun is in its 'solar maximum,' the period in its 11-year cycle during which it is most active, producing more geomagnetic storms. This solar maximum has been especially active: NASA estimated northern lights activity in 2024 reached a 500-year peak, and scientists expect strong aurora activity to continue throughout this year before declining later in the decade. Some recent solar flares and geomagnetic storms have been especially notable, including a series of solar flares in May 2024 that triggered severe geomagnetic storms, producing northern lights displays as far south as Florida. Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 (Forbes)
