Anticipation is growing as Pennsylvania may have the rare opportunity to witness the mesmerising phenomenon of the Northern Lights.
Americans are eager to see the captivating aurora borealis, popularly referred to as the northern lights, from the comfort of their own homes, especially with a geomagnetic storm watch in effect throughout the country. Will this amazing astronomical spectacle be available for Pennsylvania to see?
A series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that occurred in May and suggested the possibility of geomagnetic storms have being extensively monitored by the Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The recent surge in CME activity has prompted the SWPC to issue a G4 geomagnetic storm watch, despite the fact that no solar flare has reached the strength of the X5 flare seen on New Year’s Eve. People in the northern United States could expect a colourful show as a result of this unusual occurrence.
However, what specifically sets off the aurora?This captivating occurrence takes place when geomagnetic activity interacts with Earth’s atmosphere, brought about by the solar winds from the sun interacting with Earth’s magnetic field, or magnetosphere.
When the solar wind picks up speed and the interplanetary magnetic field aligns in a certain direction, the geomagnetic activity gets stronger. This leads to auroras that are brighter, more active, and can be seen further away from the poles.
Pennsylvanians may have the opportunity to witness a spectacular celestial display, as NOAA predicts that the state will be within the Kp 7-9 range. It suggests that the aurora will move towards the equator, creating a stunning spectacle of vibrant colours and captivating exhibitions in the night sky.
Under ideal circumstances for observing auroras, a large number of people in the region will have the opportunity to witness the extended auroral oval.
If you’re excited to see it, NOAA suggests going out around midnight, especially on Friday night into early Saturday morning. Between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, there is a higher likelihood of witnessing the breathtaking northern lights in Pennsylvania. It’s a truly magical experience that shouldn’t be missed.