A rare combination of solar events is about to deliver a dazzling light show in the skies. On 14 September, a powerful X-class solar flare erupted on the Sun, setting off a chain of solar phenomena that could produce auroras as far south as Iowa and Pennsylvania in the U.S., and parts of northern England and Wales in the U.K.
According to the NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the Earth is bracing for a G3-level geomagnetic storm on the night of 16 September. The culprit? A powerful X4.5-class solar flare the strongest the Sun can produce alongside a coronal mass ejection (CME), which shot billions of tons of solar particles into space. To add to the intensity, a coronal hole on the Sun, an area of weak magnetic fields, has allowed stronger solar winds to escape, further enhancing the effects of the CME.
While some solar effects, such as high-frequency radio blackouts, have already been felt, the most exciting outcome is yet to come. As the solar particles reach Earth, they interact with our planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere, creating the stunning aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere and aurora australis in the Southern Hemisphere.
With auroral activity forecasted at a high 7 on the 10-point Kp index, those located around 40 degrees latitude with clear skies may be treated to a breathtaking display. Although the storm could cause minor disruptions to radio signals, GPS systems, and satellites, the real highlight will be the chance to witness the auroras, which are more common during the Sun’s current active phase of its 11-year solar cycle.
So, if you’re in the right place, step outside on the night of 16 September and look to the sky for a rare and brilliant celestial event.
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