Solar Eruptions Will Make , Northern Lights Visible , From the Continental US.
LifeHacker reports that a massive geomagnetic storm that occurred
over recent days will cause large solar flares, or Coronal
Mass Ejections (CMEs), to interfere with Earth's atmosphere. .
The CMEs will also provide people in southern
locations to see the aurora borealis, otherwise
known as the northern lights, this week. .
The brilliant nighttime displays will be visible
in Washington, Wyoming and Maine,
with chances of spotting it as far south as Texas. .
According to University of Alaska Fairbanks,
November 7 through 8 may offer skygazers
the chance to witness the rare phenomenon.
Normally, the aurora borealis is only visible between
latitudes of 60 and 75 degrees, meaning Alaska is
the only U.S. location where they would be visible.
According to Lifehacker, we are heading into a period of
increased solar activity, with the recent large eruptions
potentially signaling more geomagnetic storms on the way.
Three days of high auroral activity have been forecast for
Thanksgiving weekend, between November 22 and 25,
improving chances of spotting the northern lights. .
Solar activity peaks every 11 years,
with the peak of the current
cycle expected to hit in 2025.
While the northern lights are a beautiful side effect,
solar flares can have a potentially devastating
impact on our modern electrical infrastructure. .
While the northern lights are a beautiful side effect,
solar flares can have a potentially devastating
impact on our modern electrical infrastructure. .
A powerful enough solar flare could have enough power
to take down the world's electric system, knock satellites
out of orbit and shut down global communcations