Astrology

Solar wind raises the chance of northern lights over the northern US and Canada.

A fast stream of solar wind has raised the chance of northern lights across parts of the northern United States and Canada, Space.com and The Weather Network report. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center forecast minor geomagnetic storm conditions from November 6 through November 8, with a chance of moderate conditions on November 7 and 8.

If the storm reaches the moderate level, known as G2, the lights could appear as far south as New York and Idaho, according to Space.com. The outlet says a minor G1 storm could make auroras visible from northern Michigan and Maine, though the forecast remains uncertain.

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A coronal hole releases fast solar wind#

Space.com reports that the fast stream is escaping from a large coronal hole, where an opening in the sun's magnetic field lets charged particles flow out more readily. The outlet says these regions appear dark in ultraviolet images because their material is less dense and cooler than nearby areas.

The U.K. Met Office forecast wind speeds of 342 to 404 miles per second, compared with a typical speed of about 249 miles per second, according to Space.com. The outlet says the fast stream could interact with Earth's magnetic field and trigger geomagnetic storms, temporary disturbances of the region around Earth governed by that field.

The Weather Network reported that Earth was already immersed in the stream on Thursday, after forecasters watched the coronal hole rotate toward it. The outlet said the flow can cause Earth's magnetic field to react, potentially producing geomagnetic storms and auroras.

Storm strength shapes the viewing area#

Wikipedia describes auroras as upper-atmosphere light displays produced when solar particles strike atoms, causing oxygen and nitrogen to emit colors such as green, red and purple. Space.com reports that stronger geomagnetic storms can make the northern lights visible farther south.

The Weather Network reported a G1 storm watch for the night of November 6 and said NOAA's forecast also allowed for short periods of G2 activity. Under G1 conditions, the outlet said, displays in Canada tend to remain well north, across Labrador, northern Quebec and northern Ontario.

Nature World News reported that the last G1 storm before a quiet period in late October occurred on October 21. The orientation and strength of the magnetic field carried by the solar wind affect the forecast, Space.com reports. A southward orientation allows more energy to pass into Earth's magnetic field. For November 6, The Weather Network said NOAA's forecast placed the potential activity between sunset and about 10 p.m. EST, favoring eastern Canada.

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