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 Solar Storm Sparks Northern Lights Spectacle: Friday Night Auroras Await

Dazzling displays of auroras are set to illuminate the skies of northern states once again on Friday night, thanks to the ongoing geomagnetic storm activity. The Space Weather Prediction Center, a division of NOAA, reported that the solar storm activity reached its peak on Thursday night into the early hours of Friday morning.

 

While the intensity of the activity is gradually diminishing, Lt. Bryan Brasher, a project manager with the Center, emphasized that the potential for auroras persists. "We are still forecasting continued storming for this evening, with a possibility of aurora becoming visible over the far Northern Tier states," he stated on Friday.

 

Even as the situation calms, the rebounding magnetosphere could still be impacted by multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs). CMEs are explosive releases of plasma and magnetic material from the sun that can affect Earth's navigation, communication, and radio signals. Additionally, they create currents in Earth's magnetic fields, sending particles to the North and South Poles, where they interact with oxygen and nitrogen, resulting in the mesmerizing auroras we witness.

 

NOAA confirmed a robust solar storm early Friday morning, classifying it as a G-3 on the strength scale. At G-3 status, auroras can potentially be observed as far south as Illinois and Oregon. As the storm weakens overnight Friday and into Saturday morning, it is expected to reach G-1 status, making auroras commonly visible in areas like Maine and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

 

The forecast for Friday night's auroras is depicted in the map below, with red areas having the highest likelihood of witnessing the spectacle, and green areas being less likely. The thin red line represents the view line, suggesting that even those outside the colored areas may catch a glimpse of the northern lights if they are along that trajectory.

 

The view line for Friday night extends into Washington, Idaho, Montana, northern Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, far northern Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

However, due to the anticipated weaker levels of solar storms on Friday night, spotting auroras may prove more challenging. Brasher advises those hoping to witness the northern lights to look for the red-tinted "tops" of the aurora. Utilizing a phone camera set to "night mode" or a camera with a long exposure can enhance the visibility of the auroras.

 

As with any northern lights event, escaping city light pollution is crucial for optimal viewing. Clear skies without cloud cover are also essential to appreciate the beauty of the light patterns. While Friday's expected G-1 storm may not reach the intensity of a G-5 storm, which can bring auroras as far south as Florida and even southern Texas, the spectacle promises to captivate observers in the designated regions.