The sun’s eruptions are sending a flow of particles in the direction of Earth, resulting in impressive auroras in both the North and South poles.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, may be visible in the US on Monday night in areas as far south as the Midwest. This natural phenomenon is often associated with Northern Europe, but could also be seen in the northern regions of the United Kingdom.
The southern lights, or aurora australis, may be visible in southern regions of Australia, ranging from Victoria to Western Australia.
The dazzling display will coincide with a penumbral lunar eclipse, allowing it to be seen globally.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s space weather forecast center issued a warning for an aurora on Monday morning. They reported that a strong solar storm was occurring and the Aurora Australis could potentially be seen.
Coronal mass ejections produce storms when bursts of plasma are expelled from the outer layer of the sun. These particles travel towards Earth and interact with the planet’s magnetic field, resulting in a stunning display.
The storm in Australia reached a 6 on the Kaus Index, which rates geomagnetic activity on a scale of one to eight. As a result, auroras may be visible in Tasmania, along Victoria’s coast, and even on the south-west coast of Western Australia.
The two kinds of aurorae are often observed near the magnetic poles, located in northern Canada and around the edge of Antarctica. It is important to note that the magnetic poles move and should not be confused with the geographic poles.
As the intensity of the storm increases, the auroras can be observed at greater distances from the poles.
Extreme weather can cause disturbances to electrical grids and interfere with satellite functions for guiding, monitoring, and communicating. Additionally, it can expose radiation hazards to individuals aboard aircraft at high altitudes.
According to a spokesperson for BoM, major space weather could potentially disrupt technology and important infrastructure both on Earth and in the surrounding space.
The Bureau of Meteorology recommends that those seeking to witness the southern lights should seek out a dark location, such as a beach or unobstructed hill with a clear view to the south. Ideal conditions include dark skies without moon or clouds, away from the brightness of city lights. The optimal time for viewing is between 10pm and 2am.
In the previous year, there were accounts of glimmering nighttime views in Busselton, WA, as well as in Ballarat and Canberra.
The astronomer Dr Stuart Ryder from Macquarie University stated that the 11-year cycle of the sun is probably approaching its highest point this year.
According to him, there is a transition from a relatively peaceful state with few sunspots on the surface to a highly energetic phase five or six years after, marked by a peak in the number of sunspots.
It is highly probable for the sun to emit massive bursts of energy, emitting large amounts of electrically charged particles…these particles can often appear green or red, although some individuals have reported seeing blue, yellow, and even purple hues.
“The likelihood of people living closer to the equator being able to witness a flare increases with the intensity and output of the flare.”
According to the BoM spokesperson, the current cycle started in 2019.
“The initial forecast was that the solar maximum for this cycle would occur in 2025. However, according to the current agreement among space weather experts, it is expected that this cycle may reach its peak earlier, possibly in 2024,” stated the spokesperson.
This suggests that there will be increased solar activity in the coming years, but there is also the potential for significant space weather during other periods of the cycle.
At approximately 7pm in Sydney and 7:30pm in Melbourne tonight, the moon will be dimmed by the Earth’s shadow, also known as the penumbra.
The eclipse will be visible in spots including parts of Europe, North and South America, as well as parts of Asia and Africa. The details for people hoping to catch it are published on timeanddate.com.
Ryder mentioned that half of the eclipse will have already occurred when the moon rises above the horizon. “Even then, the moon will not completely cross through the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow,” he explained. “Since it will be a full moon, the upper section may appear slightly dimmer as it is further into the Earth’s shadow.”
After that, the moon will no longer be in the shadow and its brightness will return to full level…which could potentially prevent people from observing the aurora.
Source: theguardian.com
