A strong geomagnetic storm is expected to hit between October 3 and 5.
To me , hearing hearsay and whisper that the northerly igniter might be visible from the US is a gentle bang . A meek buzz , if you will . But learning , on top of that , that it ’s going to happen over the weekend — when I ’m not busy trying to stay home and go to sleep at a nice time — sends real shivers of excitement down my spine . You ’re enunciate I can stick around up late to bet at a trippy sky then sleep in the next dawn ? Sign me up .
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) just issueda very pleasant warning — namely , that of a " minor - inviolable " geomagnetic storm , which is supposed to dispatch between October 3 and October 5 . What that means for aurora chasers and admirers likewise is that , depending on the strength of the storm , the aurora might be visible from some US land .
accord to the prescribed predictions , the tempest could reach G2 ( moderate ) and G3 ( strong ) intensity . As per the prescribed NOAA storm intensity scale , a solid geomagnetic storm implies that the cockcrow might be seeable " as crushed as Illinois and Oregon , " or " typically 50 ° geomagnetic latitude . " For now , a G3 storm is carry on Friday , October 4 .
simon’s photo/Moment Open/Getty Images
patently , though , Illinois and Oregon are n’t the only state that might be blessed with such a celestial sight . A quick flavor attomorrow ’s prognosis mapshows that resident in many notably southern states might be capable to see the aurora , including Nebraska , Ohio , Indiana , Pennsylvania , New York , New Hampshire , and Maine , as well as all the other state northerly of them .
However , one must call up that geomagnetic tempest predictions are much like , say , electric storm forecast . They might take place , but they might also switch up at the last bit and allow you high and dry . If you do n’t end up seeing the northern Inner Light this weekend , do n’t stress too much — geomagnetic storm happen all the time , you just have to keep an middle out for the most vivid ones .
To delay up to date with NOAA ’s prediction and to hold back the current aurora forecast , you may visitthis consecrate website .
Photo courtesy of NOAA
Ready to go stargazing?
Here are allthe best stargazing eventsthat you could get out and see this month or you could stay in andstream the northern lightsfrom nursing home . If you ’re just getting started , break out ourguide to astronomy for beginnersoreasy stargazing route trip from big US cities .
