Aurora enthusiasts have an exciting reason to celebrate this Thanksgiving: a solar storm is expected to reach Earth, bringing stunning displays of the northern lights, or aurora borealis, to parts of the Northern Hemisphere. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these vibrant celestial shows will be visible across northern regions of the United States, offering a delightful Thanksgiving bonus after the festivities.
The upcoming auroras are the result of a coronal mass ejection from the sun, which triggered NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center to issue a geomagnetic storm watch for both Thursday and Friday. While the solar storm is anticipated to pose minimal risks to satellites, GPS signals, and power grids, it promises to enhance the visual spectacle of the northern lights, making them visible to more areas than usual.
The auroras are categorized by varying intensities, and this storm is classified as a minor G1 on Thursday, escalating to a moderate G2 on Friday. Despite not being as intense as a previous G4 storm in October, forecasters anticipate that the displays will still be vibrant and widespread.
Viewing opportunities in the U.S. will extend beyond traditional northern locations, thanks to a Kp index of 5, indicating brighter auroras. States including New York, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Indianapolis, and Maryland may witness the extraordinary light shows, although visibility will depend on local weather conditions and light pollution.
To catch the best views of the northern lights, it is recommended to look up during clear skies in the hours around midnight and to seek darker areas away from city lights. NOAA provides an aurora dashboard to help enthusiasts track the lights.
The auroras are produced when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmospheric gases, resulting in breathtaking displays of color. The ongoing solar maximum cycle, expected to last until 2025, is increasing the activity of solar events, which will likely lead to more frequent northern lights in the coming years.
This Thanksgiving, as families gather to celebrate, the heavens may provide a beautiful backdrop, reminding us of nature’s wonders. With the potential for these stunning displays, there is hope and anticipation for many to create lasting memories under the enchanting glow of the auroras.