Didn't Catch the Spectacular Northern Lights Display? Another Opportunity Coming Up This Saturday Night
Don't worry if you missed the breathtaking auroras caused by solar flares and coronal mass ejections, as you'll have a second chance to witness the mesmerizing display on Saturday evening. Mark your calendars for this upcoming celestial event!
If you missed the stunning auroras caused by solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun, don't worry! You'll have another opportunity to catch the show on Saturday evening.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center, auroras may be visible as far south as Alabama later on Saturday. The best viewing spots will be across the Ohio River Valley, through the Midwest, and into the Pacific Northwest.
In general, it's best to begin your search for the aurora right after sunset. The weather plays a crucial role, as cloudy skies can hinder visibility of the northern lights.
"Don't stress about missing it, as this is not a one-time occurrence like an eclipse," reassured CNN meteorologist Chad Myers. This natural phenomenon typically lasts for several days, giving you multiple opportunities to witness its beauty.
“It will be visible across most of North America, maybe not all the way down to the Gulf Coast, but it’ll be close.”
A person watches the northern lights from atop a rock formation near Sheffield, England, on Saturday, May 11.
A person watches the northern lights from atop a rock formation near Sheffield, England, on Saturday, May 11.
Alastair Johnstone/Story Picture/Shutterstock
Aurora borealis is reflected in water at Manning Park in British Columbia, on May 11.
Aurora borealis is reflected in water at Manning Park in British Columbia, on May 11.
Andrew Chin/Getty Images
People look at the aurora australis on the outskirts of Christchurch, New Zealand, on May 11.
People look at the aurora australis on the outskirts of Christchurch, New Zealand, on May 11.
Sanka Vidanagama/AFP/Getty Images
In this long exposure photo, the blinking lights of a plane streak through the aurora borealis over Lake Berryessa, California, on May 11.
In this long exposure photo, the blinking lights of a plane streak through the aurora borealis over Lake Berryessa, California, on May 11.
Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images
The northern lights shine in the night sky above the Molenviergang in Aarlanderveen, the Netherlands, early May 11.
The northern lights shine in the night sky above the Molenviergang in Aarlanderveen, the Netherlands, early May 11.
Josh Walet/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The northern lights illuminate the sky in Debrad, Slovakia, on May 11.
The northern lights illuminate the sky in Debrad, Slovakia, on May 11.
Robert Nemeti/Anadolu/Getty Images
Aurora lights glow in the night sky over the mountains in Le Col des Mosses pass, Ormont-Dessous, Switzerland, during the early hours of May 11.
Aurora lights glow in the night sky over the mountains in Le Col des Mosses pass, Ormont-Dessous, Switzerland, during the early hours of May 11.
Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone/AP
The aurora borealis glows over Vienna on May 11.
The aurora borealis glows over Vienna on May 11.
Max Slovencik/APA/AFP/Getty Images
The aurora borealis illuminates the skies over the southwestern Siberian town of Tara, in Russia's Omsk region, on May 11.
The aurora borealis illuminates the skies over the southwestern Siberian town of Tara, in Russia's Omsk region, on May 11.
Alexey Malgavko/Reuters
The northern lights are seen in a rural area west of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, May 10.
The northern lights are seen in a rural area west of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, May 10.
Courtesy Luke Culver
People photograph the northern lights from Whitley Bay, England, on May 10.
People photograph the northern lights from Whitley Bay, England, on May 10.
Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
The northern lights flare in the sky over a farmhouse in Brunswick, Maine, on May 10.
The northern lights flare in the sky over a farmhouse in Brunswick, Maine, on May 10.
Robert F. Bukaty/AP
People stop along a country road near London, Ontario, to view the aurora borealis on May 10. Auroras are often observed in Canada's northern regions, but rarely in southern Ontario.
People often pull over on a country road near London, Ontario, to catch a glimpse of the beautiful aurora borealis on May 10. While these natural light displays are commonly seen in Canada's northern regions, it is a rare treat to witness them in southern Ontario.
Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty Images
The aurora lights are seen over western Tennessee out the window of a flight from Washington, DC, to Memphis, Tennessee, on May 10.
The aurora lights are seen over western Tennessee out the window of a flight from Washington, DC, to Memphis, Tennessee, on May 10.
CNN
The northern lights are seen in the sky over Rich Hill, Missouri, on May 10.
The northern lights are seen in the sky over Rich Hill, Missouri, on May 10.
Courtesy Jan Reed
The northern lights glow in the night sky in Brandenburg, Germany, on May 10.
The northern lights glow in the night sky in Brandenburg, Germany, on May 10.
Patrick Pleul/picture alliance/Getty Images
In this long exposure photo, cars pass by as people look at the night sky towards the northern lights in Estacada, Oregon, on May 10.
In this long exposure photo, cars pass by as people look at the night sky towards the northern lights in Estacada, Oregon, on May 10.
Jenny Kane/AP
The northern lights seen over Cumming, Georgia, on May 10.
The northern lights seen over Cumming, Georgia, on May 10.
CNN
People pose for a photograph with the aurora borealis in Crosby, England, on May 10.
People pose for a photograph with the aurora borealis in Crosby, England, on May 10.
Adam Vaughan/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The aurora glows over Edinburgh, Scotland, on May 10.
The aurora glows over Edinburgh, Scotland, on May 10.
Courtesy Jacob Anderson
The aurora borealis is seen at Crosby Beach in Liverpool, England, on May 10.
The aurora borealis is seen at Crosby Beach in Liverpool, England, on May 10.
Peter Byrne/PA Images/Getty Images
In pictures: Auroras light the sky during rare solar storm
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Cloudy conditions will persist from the Rockies into Texas and the northern Gulf Coast as well as much of the Northeast.
The Space Weather Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, reported an extreme geomagnetic storm at 6:54 p.m. ET on Friday evening, reaching a severity level of 5 out of 5. The last time Earth experienced a solar storm of this magnitude was in October 2003, which caused power outages in Sweden and damaged power transformers in South Africa.
Scientists at the center first noticed signs of a severe geomagnetic storm, level 4, at 12:37 p.m. ET when a major disturbance was detected in Earth's magnetic field. Prior to this, the center issued a geomagnetic storm watch on Thursday evening, marking the first time such a watch had been issued since January 2005.
After scientists observed extreme geomagnetic storm conditions on Friday evening, the forecast was upgraded to G5.
As the sun approaches its peak activity in the 11-year cycle known as solar maximum later this year, researchers have noticed more intense solar flares erupting from the sun.
Increased solar activity leads to the creation of auroras, also known as the northern lights and southern lights. These beautiful light displays dance around Earth's poles when energized particles from coronal mass ejections interact with gases in the atmosphere, producing different colors in the sky.
The Space Weather Prediction Center announced on Saturday that auroras were visible in many parts of the United States overnight. If the weather cooperates, there is a possibility of seeing them again tonight.
The ongoing extreme geomagnetic storm is expected to last until at least Sunday. This storm has the potential to disrupt the power grid, satellite communications, and high-frequency radio transmissions. The Biden administration is closely monitoring the situation to assess any potential impacts.
Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi, an astrophysicist, explained to CNN that events like the April 8th total solar eclipse remind us of our place in the universe. It makes us realize that we live on a planet that orbits a star within a galaxy, bringing this cosmic reality closer to home.
According to Dr. Oluseyi, a total solar eclipse is his top pick for a mesmerizing celestial event. However, he also finds bright comets and aurorae to be incredibly captivating. He mentions that being in the northern or southern extremes allows people to witness not only colorful skies but also the mesmerizing undulating curtains of nebulosity. The prospect of more people experiencing these phenomena worldwide is something he finds pretty cool.
Bill Nye, the “Science Guy,” said: “Let’s celebrate this.”
CNN’s Ashley Strickland contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The recent solar storm has provided us with a spectacular display of auroras, a celestial phenomenon that has captivated people for centuries. The vivid colors and dancing lights in the sky are a testament to the power and beauty of our solar system. While the storm is expected to continue for several days, it is important to remember that auroras are not a one-time occurrence. With the sun approaching its peak activity, we can expect to see more of these stunning displays in the coming months.
The auroras are not only a visual spectacle but also a reminder of our place in the universe. They are caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with gases in our atmosphere, creating a vibrant tapestry of light. As we witness these celestial fireworks, we are reminded of the interconnectedness of our planet and the vastness of space. The auroras serve as a reminder to appreciate the beauty of our surroundings and to marvel at the wonders of the natural world.
