Canadians may witness another stunning showcase of the aurora borealis tonight as a result of the sun’s recent activity. The sun has been emitting magnetic energy from sunspots and has released three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in quick succession.
These CMEs are rapidly traveling through the solar wind towards Earth and could potentially combine into what is known as a “cannibal” CME. When these particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, it creates the mesmerizing display of the northern lights.
While the northern lights are typically visible in northern latitudes, a strong CME could push them further south. An example of this occurred on May 10, 2024, when the northern lights were visible as far south as the Caribbean due to a cannibal CME.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has forecasted a strong geomagnetic storm for tonight and into Friday. Geomagnetic storms are categorized on a scale from G1 to G5, with the SWPC anticipating up to G3 storm levels following the combined CME arrival.
Forecasting the northern lights can be challenging, but the SWPC is moderately confident about their arrival on Earth, though uncertainty remains regarding the intensity of the display. The intense northern lights displays in May and October 2024 were attributed to G5 storm levels.
To catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis, certain conditions need to align, such as the auroral hole dipping south and the storm occurring during nighttime. Clear skies away from city lights provide the best viewing conditions, and using a phone for photography can capture the lights even if they are not visible to the naked eye.
For those interested in tracking when the aurora may be visible from their location, apps like Aurora Now can provide real-time information. Additionally, looking towards the north and finding a good vantage point of the northern horizon is recommended for optimal viewing, especially in areas like southern Ontario where the lights may appear in the southern sky. After sunset, observing the western sky can also offer a beautiful pairing of Jupiter and Venus.
