A large solar storm could cause auroras across Canada and the northern US tonight
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Space weather scientists issued a warning on Tuesday about severe solar storms that could produce colorful northern lights and temporarily disrupt communications.
In the past few days, the Sun has planned several bursts called coronal mass jets that could reach the Earth on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Severe geomagnetic storms can disrupt radio and GPS communications, say forecasters from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
According to a map by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, active displays can be seen across Canada on Tuesday and Wednesday night and into Wednesday.
How bright the auroras are and how far south they appear will depend on when the flares here and how they interact with the Earth’s atmosphere.
How do the northern lights happen?
The sun is at the peak of its 11-year cycle, making light reflections more frequent and more abundant.
Colorful northern lights have graced the night sky in unexpected places, and local meteorologists say there are more auroras to come.
The Northern Lights are a spectacular spectacle that can be seen in several parts of Canada. According to NASA, we are currently in the middle of the solar eclipse, which means that 2025 could be a normal year to see the northern lights. Press play to learn why the northern lights exist!
Aurora displays, known as the northern and southern lights, are often seen near the poles, where charged particles from the sun meet the Earth’s atmosphere.
Skygazers are seeing deep lights in Canada, the United States and Europe because the sun is undergoing a major facelift. Every 11 years, its poles switch places, causing magnetic twists and ripples along the way.
Last year, the strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades hit the world, revealing a bright light in the northern hemisphere. And not long after that, there was a strong annual storm in the sky from the Arctic Circle where dancing lights appeared in unexpected places, including Germany, the United Kingdom, New York City.
The Sun’s active spurt is expected to last at least early this year, although the sun’s activity won’t be known for months for sure, according to NASA and NASA.
How solar storms affect Earth
Solar storms can make more lights than colored lights on earth. When fast-moving particles and plasma enter the Earth’s magnetic field, they can temporarily disrupt the power grid.
Weather conditions can also interfere with radio traffic control vehicles and satellites in orbit. Strong storms can disrupt communications such as radio and GPS.
In 1859, a powerful solar storm caused auroras to reach Hawaii and set off telegraph lines in an unusual family. And a solar storm in 1972 may have brought down US naval mines off the coast of Vietnam.
Local meteorologists cannot predict solar storm months in advance. Instead, they wonder which organizations should prepare for the days before the sunrise.
How to see the auroras
The wonders of the Northern Lights can be found in NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center or the Aurora forecasting app.
Think of the Aurora – watching from a quiet, dark place away from the city lights. Experts recommend skygazing at a local or national park. Also check the weather forecast, because clouds can completely cover the spectacle.
Taking a photo with a smartphone camera can also reveal clues to the aurora that are invisible to the naked eye.
