Aurora Borealis to Persist in Different Regions as Moderate Solar Storm Prediction Extended

Strong solar activity is intensifying and is anticipated to trigger auroras further south than usual this week. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, a geomagnetic storm, rated G3—the third highest of five levels—could reach a peak on Tuesday due to solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun. This is prepared by SSP.

This strong geomagnetic activity may make auroras visible in areas such as Illinois and Oregon. These storms are relatively rare but occur more frequently than extreme G5 storms, which happen less often, such as the one in May that spread auroras to typically unlikely locations.

The illuminated skies, potentially visible as far south as the northeastern states, the upper Midwest, and northern Oregon, stem from eruptions of coronal mass ejections—ionized gas and magnetic fields—originating from the sun's outer atmosphere. The NOAA notes that these energetic phenomena cause significant disturbances to Earth’s magnetic field, dubbed geomagnetic storms.

The UK’s Met Office forecasts possible auroras in Scotland over the next few nights, while Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology predicts substantial geomagnetic activity on July 30 linked to recent coronal ejections. This high solar activity aligns with the sun approaching its solar maximum, expected this year, which marks a peak in its 11-year cycle.

Those hoping to catch a glimpse of the auroras should seek dark skies away from artificial light, ideally around two hours before or after midnight, according to experts. To capture the auroras clearly, utilize a tripod and engage in community science efforts with Aurorasaurus, a NASA partner site.

NASA further elaborates that the sun’s eruptions, often akin to a 'burp,' propel bubbles of electrified gas at high speed through space. Before reaching Earth, this solar material interacts with atmospheric gases, generating stunning light displays—green and red from oxygen, and blue and purple from nitrogen.

The NOAA’s extended geomagnetic storm watch to August 1, following a noteworthy burst of 28 coronal mass ejections last week, indicates ongoing heightened activity. Such solar events, where plasma integrates with Earth’s magnetic field, can enhance geomagnetic storms and the visibility of auroras.