A coronal mass ejection (CME) launched from the Sun is heading toward Earth, and forecasters are expecting increased geomagnetic activity later this week, potentially producing spectacular Northern Lights displays across parts of the United States.
The CME was released on October 6 following an M1.4-class solar flare from sunspot region AR4549. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center is forecasting G1 to G2 geomagnetic storm conditions for October 9, with the strongest activity potentially reaching the moderate G2 level.
Northern Lights Could Reach Farther South
The most exciting possibility is an unusually widespread display of the aurora borealis. NOAA says auroras associated with a G2 storm could potentially be visible as far south as New York, Wisconsin and Washington state, although visibility will depend on the storm’s actual strength and the orientation of the magnetic field carried by the CME.
Forecasters currently expect the CME to arrive around October 9, but the exact timing could shift by several hours as scientists receive more information about its speed and trajectory.
Could There Be Effects on Technology?
Most geomagnetic storms are not dangerous to people on the ground, but stronger events can affect satellites, GPS, radio communications and electrical systems. NOAA notes that geomagnetic storms can also create fluctuations in power grids and increase atmospheric drag on low-Earth-orbit satellites.
