Aurora enthusiasts have much to celebrate this Thanksgiving as a solar storm is predicted to sweep across Earth, providing an opportunity to witness the breathtaking northern lights, or aurora borealis, particularly visible in the Northern Hemisphere. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this spectacular display could be seen on both Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday in various northern regions of the United States.
This vibrant phenomenon is a result of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun, which has prompted NOAA to issue a geomagnetic storm watch for Thursday and Friday. Although the storm poses a minimal risk to satellites, GPS signals, and power grids, it is expected to deliver a dazzling show in the sky, enhancing Thanksgiving experiences after festivities like football and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
NOAA has been monitoring a CME that erupted from the sun earlier in the week, with forecasters categorizing the storm intensity at a minor G1 level on Thursday and a moderate G2 level on Friday. While this storm is not as powerful as the G4 storm that occurred in mid-October, it is still anticipated to make the auroras visible to a broader area than usual.
In the United States, areas known for northern lights viewing typically include Alaska, but this storm could allow residents in several northern states—from New York to Idaho—to catch a glimpse. Cities like Boise, Idaho; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Lincoln, Nebraska; Indianapolis; and Annapolis, Maryland may also be treated to this beautiful spectacle, depending on local weather conditions and light pollution.
For those eager to catch the northern lights, the best time to view the phenomenon is generally an hour or two before midnight on clear nights. Experts recommend traveling away from light-polluted areas for an optimal viewing experience. NOAA also offers an aurora dashboard, designed to help sky watchers track when the northern lights might be visible.
The fascinating lights are created when charged particles from space collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen in Earth’s atmosphere, leading to vibrant displays in various colors. As solar activity peaks during the sun’s 11-year cycle, dangerous solar flares and CMEs become more frequent, enhancing the conditions that create the northern lights. With NASA anticipating that solar maximum conditions will persist until 2025, there will be numerous chances for aurora chasers to bask in this natural wonder.
This Thanksgiving, embrace the wonders of nature, as the potential for witnessing the northern lights serves as a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us, even in the simplest moments.