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Attention stargazers: Get ready for a celestial show! Thanks to heightened solar activity, the aurora borealis could grace the skies above a significant portion of the United States this upcoming weekend, according to space weather experts.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center reports that during previous instances of such solar activity, the aurora has been visible as far south as Alabama and northern California. It is anticipated that the aurora might be visible on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights.
This breathtaking display is expected due to a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun, which are forecasted to reach Earth early this weekend, creating geomagnetic storms that produce the auroras. A G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for Saturday, May 11, as noted by astronomer Tony Phillips on SpaceWeather.com, citing the ongoing solar activity.
The stunning aurora phenomenon occurs when particles from the sun interact with Earth's magnetic field and atmospheric gases, resulting in the distinctive glowing green and reddish colors. However, predicting the aurora can be challenging, so it is advisable to exercise caution before adjusting your weekend plans. Unlike terrestrial weather forecasting, predicting space weather, including the aurora, relies on observations of the distant sun.
"The aurora can be difficult to predict," explained Bill Murtagh, the program coordinator at the Space Weather Prediction Center. "There are numerous uncertainties that make it challenging," he admitted, highlighting the lag in space weather forecasting compared to meteorology.
The current period marks the solar maximum, leading to more frequent appearances of the aurora borealis over the United States. In April 2023, a stunning aurora display was observed as far south as Arkansas and Arizona. This uptick in aurora sightings is attributed to the solar maximum, which is expected to peak this year.
For optimal viewing, the best time to witness this natural spectacle is usually within an hour or two of midnight (between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. local time). While there may be auroras in the evening and morning, they are typically less active and therefore less visually striking, according to NOAA.