Don't Miss Out on the Spectacular Northern Lights Display This Saturday Night
Experience the breathtaking auroras created by recent solar activities with another opportunity to witness the dazzling light show on Saturday evening. If you missed the stunning display last night, mark your calendar for this 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.
It is recommended to begin your aurora viewing right after sunset. The weather plays a crucial role in visibility, so keep an eye on cloud cover which may affect your chances of seeing the aurora.
According to CNN meteorologist Chad Myers, there is no need to stress about missing the aurora as it is not a one-time event like an eclipse. The aurora can be observed over multiple days, providing ample opportunities for viewing.
“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 aurora borealis on May 10. While auroras are commonly seen in Canada's northern regions, it is a rare occurrence 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 National Weather Service's Space Weather Prediction Center identified an extreme geomagnetic storm at 6:54 p.m. ET on Friday evening, reaching a level 5 out of 5 severity. This is the first time a solar storm of this magnitude has hit Earth since October 2003, causing power outages in Sweden and damaging power transformers in South Africa.
Scientists at the center first noticed signs of a severe geomagnetic storm, or level 4, at 12:37 p.m. ET when a major disturbance was detected in Earth's magnetic field. Prior to this, the center had issued a geomagnetic storm watch on Thursday evening, the first one since January 2005.
Scientists upgraded the forecast after observing extreme geomagnetic storm conditions known as G5 on Friday evening. As the sun approaches its peak activity in the 11-year solar cycle, also called solar maximum, researchers have noticed more intense solar flares coming from the sun.
When the sun becomes more active, it can cause beautiful light displays known as auroras. These auroras can be seen near the North and South poles and are called the northern lights (aurora borealis) and southern lights (aurora australis). The energized particles from the sun interact with gases in our atmosphere, creating colorful lights in the sky.
The Space Weather Prediction Center announced that auroras were visible in many parts of the United States overnight. If the weather permits, there is a chance that they may be visible again tonight.
The ongoing extreme geomagnetic storm is expected to last until at least Sunday. This storm has the potential to impact the power grid, satellite communications, and high-frequency radio communications. The Biden administration is actively monitoring the situation to assess any potential impacts.
Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi, an astrophysicist, expressed that for him, witnessing a total solar eclipse is a powerful reminder of our place in the universe. It highlights the fact that we are inhabitants of a planet that orbits a star within a galaxy.
He believes that a total solar eclipse takes the top spot in terms of awe-inspiring celestial events. However, he also finds bright comets and aurorae to be incredibly fascinating. The vibrant colors and swirling patterns of nebulosity visible near the poles add to the wonder. The widespread accessibility of such phenomena to people worldwide is indeed exciting.
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 brought about a rare and spectacular display of auroras, visible as far south as Alabama. This celestial event is a testament to the power of the sun and its impact on our planet. It is a reminder that we are part of a larger cosmic system, and that the forces that shape our world extend beyond our immediate surroundings.
The auroras are a beautiful and awe-inspiring sight, and they offer a unique opportunity to connect with the natural world. They are also a reminder of the importance of scientific research, which allows us to understand and predict the behavior of the sun and its effects on Earth. By continuing to study the sun, we can better prepare ourselves for future solar storms and their potential impacts.
