A geomagnetic storm unprecedented in two decades rendered the aurora borealis or northern lights observable across the United States on Friday night, with visibility extending to regions typically beyond their reach. The spectacle may continue, with predictions suggesting another opportunity to witness the aurora tonight under clear skies, as mentioned by the NOAA. Additionally, Sunday night could also feature the aurora visible as far south as Alabama.
The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has observed heightened solar activity, including powerful solar flares following the previously noted coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are expected to impact Earth soon. An ongoing watch on an active sunspot cluster since Wednesday culminated in the observance of G5 conditions, signifying “extreme” geomagnetic storm levels, a phenomenon not seen since October 2003. Clinton Wallace, Director of NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, characterized the ongoing storm as “an unusual and potentially historic event” in a statement issued on Friday.
The Sun emitted two strong solar flares on May 10-11, 2024, peaking at 9:23 p.m. EDT on May 10, and 7:44 a.m. EDT on May 11. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured images of the events, which were classified as X5.8 and X1.5-class flares. https://t.co/nLfnG1OvvE pic.twitter.com/LjmI0rk2Wm
— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) May 11, 2024
Geomagnetic storms are caused by solar eruptions interacting with Earth’s magnetosphere. Despite the ominous implications, these events pose no direct threat to people on the ground, as clarified by NASA. The Earth’s atmosphere acts as a protective barrier against harmful radiation from solar flares. However, such storms can interfere with our technological infrastructure, including communications, GPS, satellite functionality, and the power grid.
