A solar storm is forecast to reach Earth and produce colorful northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, in the northern hemisphere on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. The solar storm is expected to be visible in parts of the northern United States, with a geomagnetic storm watch issued by NOAA. While the storm may pose a minimal threat to things like satellites and power grids, it will provide a stunning display of greenish and reddish lights in the sky.
NOAA has been tracking a coronal mass ejection from the sun that should reach Earth later this week. The storm is forecasted to be relatively small, with a minor G1 intensity on Thursday and a moderate G2 intensity on Friday. The auroras are best seen around the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres, but Thursday’s storm should make them visible further from the poles, even in some northern and upper Midwest states in the U.S.
The best time to see the northern lights is within an hour or two of midnight, away from city lights and in dark locations free from light pollution. The increase in solar activity due to the sun’s 11-year cycle has fueled more frequent space weather that produces conditions for the northern lights to flourish. NASA anticipates this solar maximum to continue into 2025, providing more opportunities for aurora chasers to witness this stunning phenomenon.
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