The northern lights illuminated the skies over Bashaw, Alberta, Canada, on August 11, 2024, as captured in a stunning photograph by skywatcher Darlene Tanner.
This week, a series of fierce geomagnetic storms caused by recent solar flares has intensified auroras on Earth. On Monday, August 12, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA SWPC) reported a severe G4-class geomagnetic storm affecting Earth, observed at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT). This storm would have enhanced northern lights visibility across the United States if not for its occurrence during daylight hours.
According to SWPC officials, “A severe geomagnetic storm includes the potential for auroras to be seen faintly as far south as Alabama and Northern California.” However, conditions lessened by Monday afternoon to a moderate G2-class storm, allowing the possibility of viewing northern lights as far south as areas like Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. This storm is expected to persist at least through the evening of August 13.
Despite the brief intensity of the earlier G4-class storm, even G2-class events have been known to produce breathtaking auroras, as seen in late July during a G1-class storm that dazzled observers across the U.S. and Canada.
The geomagnetic storms were set in motion by solar particles released during a series of explosive coronal mass ejections, following five solar flares since August 10. As these charged particles reach Earth, they are guided by the planet’s magnetic field toward the poles, where they interact with the atmosphere, resulting in colorful auroras.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this phenomenon is referred to as the aurora borealis, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it is known as the aurora australis.
In addition to the potential for stunning northern lights, stargazers can also witness the annual Perseid meteor shower, which peaked overnight on August 11 and 12, creating the possibility of enjoying both auroras and meteors during the same night. For those interested in capturing the beauty of the northern lights, guides on how to photograph them are available.