A geomagnetic storm is expected to light up the skies with the northern lights in New York City. This event is due to a recent G4 solar flare monitored by NASA. While G5 is the highest storm level, G4 can still create stunning auroras visible as far south as Northern California and Alabama.
The flare struck around midday on Wednesday. Authorities warned it could disrupt communication systems, including satellites and GPS, by affecting Earth’s magnetic field. This could also impact power grids, leading to outages in some areas.
Amie Gallagher, the planetarium director at Raritan Valley Community College, explained how solar activity leads to these spectacular lights. “The sun’s magnetic fields can create eruptions known as coronal mass ejections,” she said. “When these charged particles hit Earth, they interact with our atmosphere, creating beautiful displays.”
She also shared her own photos from a previous event. Colors like pink and green come from oxygen in the atmosphere, while blues and purples represent nitrogen. Gallagher suggested that smartphone cameras might capture the auroras better than the naked eye, as they can pick up dimmer light.
Given New York City’s light pollution, seeing the northern lights might be tricky. However, the possibilities extend to parts of New Jersey and all of Connecticut. Central and northern areas of New York may have better views, but clouds could obscure the scene.
In October 2024, New Yorkers were mesmerized by similar displays, with vivid pinks and purples lighting up the skyline. Events like these remind us of the sun’s power and our planet’s connection to space phenomena.
For those interested in tracking these events, you can check out NOAA’s aurora forecast model here.
Exploring how solar flares and geomagnetic storms link to our daily lives can be fascinating. With technology advancing quickly, understanding these natural phenomena can help us prepare for their impacts. Stay curious, and keep your eyes on the sky!
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Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights
