Latest news with #CHHSS
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Strong geomagnetic storm underway with dazzling Northern Lights possible in these states Thursday
BOULDER, Colo. – An ongoing strong geomagnetic storm from the Sun created displays of Northern Lights across parts of the U.s. overnight into Thursday. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said strong (G3) geomagnetic storm levels were reached early Thursday based on NOAA's five-level scale. The solar storm is happening in response to influences from a negative-polarity coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS). A coronal hole appears like a dark void in the Sun because these areas contain cooler, less dense plasma. This allows the material to stream out at faster speeds and sometimes send impacts to Earth, which is what is happening this week. Northern Lights Show Surprises Nasa Astronaut On Iss NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory images of the Sun show a large coronal hole on the Sun. These influences from the Sun create dazzling displays of Northern Lights as particles interact with Earth's atmosphere. Overnight into Thursday, skygazers in Alaska, Canada and parts of the northern U.S., including Michigan, were treated to a colorful show. As these influences from the CH HSS continue, the SWPC has issued a Level-3-out-of-5 Geomagnetic Storm Warning through Thursday. While the peak intensity of the aurora lights occurred between midnight and 3 a.m. ET on Thursday, there is still some opportunity for the Northern Lights on Thursday night and early Friday. Moderate geomagnetic storming is forecast to continue on Friday. Under these conditions, aurora lights could be visible across the northern tier and Upper Midwest through early Friday morning in places such as Michigan and Maine. Download The Free Fox Weather App While the public does not need to be concerned about these space weather impacts, CH HSS and the more common coronal mass ejections (CME) from the Sun can negatively affect satellites in low-Earth orbit and the power grid. This week's conditions are expected to cause minor power grid fluctuations and a slight risk to satellite operations. Intermittent GPS degradation is also possible, according to the article source: Strong geomagnetic storm underway with dazzling Northern Lights possible in these states Thursday
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Slim chance for northern lights in some states due to ‘high speed stream' from Sun
(NEXSTAR) — Some across the U.S. may again have a chance to see the northern lights Tuesday night as material hurled out by the sun reaches Earth. After a coronal hole high speed stream, or CH HSS, was spotted on the sun on Friday, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center warned that lower-level geomagnetic storm conditions could appear on Earth Tuesday or Wednesday. A fast-moving coronal mass ejection, or CME, connected to that CH HSS, which was spotted Friday, gave parts of the U.S. the chance to see the northern lights on Sunday. Those same areas look to have at least a chance to see the aurora on Tuesday as the CH HSS impacts Earth. The SWPC had already issued an alert on Monday, forecasting G2, or moderate, geomagnetic storm conditions for Tuesday. Maps: These counties have the most excessive drinkers While the activity could bring some 'mainly manageable effects to some technological infrastructure,' your more likely to encounter a glimmer of the northern lights. Forecasting shows geomagnetic storming conditions are expected to peak through 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday. That could change as conditions change, however. For now, those closest to the Canadian border have the best chance to catch the aurora Tuesday night, according to the SWPC's forecast, seen below. Those in red have the highest odds while those in green have lower odds. Areas at or above the red view line may also be able to see the northern lights on the northern horizon. As the image above shows, Alaska and Canada have the best odds of catching the northern lights. Still, those in Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and northern portions of Idaho, Wyoming, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine may be able to see the aurora on the northern horizon. Northern lights: What causes the colors that we see — and don't see? While the SWPC previously warned conditions could carry into Wednesday, the current forecast shows storming conditions may not be strong enough to bring the northern lights deep into the Lower 48. At least a portion of many of the same states — Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine — are within the view line of SWPC's forecast for Wednesday, seen below. If you're in the shaded areas above, but can't see the northern lights with your naked eye when you step outside, you may instead want to use your phone. Our smartphones are better able to see some of the faint colors that may appear with the northern lights, giving you a chance to glimpse the aurora. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Geomagnetic storm could create dancing Northern Lights across several states overnight
NEW YORK – Night owls could see dashes of glowing color in the sky early Tuesday morning with a Geomagnetic Storm Watch in place, signaling the possible arrival of the Northern Lights. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a Geomagnetic Storm Watch for Tuesday as influences from a coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) are expected to arrive late Monday and into Tuesday morning. A coronal hole is an area on the surface of the Sun with cooler plasma that appears like a dark hole in satellite images. The less dense, cooler plasma travels at faster speeds into space, streaming along the Sun's magnetic field lines. When these charged particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere, they briefly energize the molecule, giving off light as they de-energize, producing the colorful lights known as aurora borealis or the Northern Lights. What Causes The Northern Lights? As the CH HSS influences first begin to reach Earth, there is a chance for G1 (minor) and G2 (moderate) storm conditions this week, based on NOAA's 5-point geomagnetic storm scale. Peak conditions are forecast for early Tuesday morning after midnight. If G2 levels are reached as a CH HSS impacts Earth, the Northern Lights could be visible from New York to Idaho. This latest round of space weather comes after the SWPC forecast a G3 (strong) solar storm over the weekend, which created Northern Lights displays across upstate New York and the northern Puget Sound region near Seattle. According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, aurora lights were even visible in Pennsylvania on Friday night. A clear view of the sky is needed to observe these dazzling lights. The FOX Forecast Center said cloud cover could block the view for those in the interior Northeast and northern New England, including Maine, but those in the Upper Midwest have a slightly better forecast around midnight on Tuesday. The 10 Best Places In The World For Stargazing Influences from the coronal hole could continue into Wednesday, according to the SWPC forecast. CH HSS can also have reoccurring impacts on Earth because the Sun spins every 27 days. If Earth gets hit by a high-speed stream, there's a chance for more impacts 27 days article source: Geomagnetic storm could create dancing Northern Lights across several states overnight
The Hill
23-03-2025
- Climate
- The Hill
Map: Chance for some to see northern lights sparked by ‘fast' coronal mass ejection
(NEXSTAR) — Some may have the chance to see the northern lights on Sunday thanks to an eruption of solar material colliding with Earth's atmosphere. A coronal hole high speed stream, or CH HSS, was spotted on the sun on Friday, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center reported. A CH HSS can cause geomagnetic storms on Earth to reach G1 or G2 levels — which could, in turn, spark more northern lights. While the SWPC warned that lower-level geomagnetic storm conditions could appear on Earth Tuesday or Wednesday, parts of the U.S. could see the northern lights Sunday night — if conditions are right. This activity is connected to a fast-moving coronal mass ejection, or CME, that left the Sun on Friday. According to SWPC's forecasting, this CME could cause the necessary activity in our atmosphere to make the northern lights visible across the northern U.S. Fungus labeled 'urgent threat' by CDC is spreading rapidly, hospital study finds CMEs spark auroras by creating currents in Earth's magnetic fields that send particles to the North and South Poles, which then interact with oxygen and nitrogen, according to NASA. The current forecast suggests this CME will cause the strongest geomagnetic storming late Sunday morning and into the afternoon — a less-than-ideal time for those hoping to see the northern lights. However, minor geomagnetic storm conditions are expected to continue into the nighttime hours, which may be just enough for those closest to the Canadian border to see the aurora. The forecast below shows which areas have the best chance of catching the northern lights on Sunday. Those in red have the highest odds while those in green have lower odds. Areas at or above the red view line may also be able to see the northern lights on the northern horizon. As usual, those with the greatest odds of catching the northern lights are in Canada and Alaska. Still, some in the Lower 48 could catch a glimpse. That includes Washington state, Montana, the northeastern portion of Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the northern portions of Idaho, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. This forecast could, however, change as the day goes on, depending on the activity in our atmosphere. If conditions strengthen, the aurora could appear even further south. If they weaken, fewer states may have a chance to see them. We may get a chance to see the northern lights again mid-week. The SWPC's three-day forecast currently shows a return of minor geomagnetic storming starting Tuesday afternoon. If you're in the shaded areas above, but can't see the northern lights with your naked eye when you step outside, you may instead want to use your phone. Our smartphones are better able to see some of the faint colors that may appear with the northern lights, giving you a chance to glimpse the aurora.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Giant hole in the Sun could trigger solar storms in early February
Two giant holes in the Sun could create impactful space weather for Earth in early February. Recent NOAA satellite images show two coronal holes, areas on the surface of the Sun devoid of plasma. Forecasters with NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) are monitoring the larger coronal hole in the Northern Hemisphere and a smaller, narrower hole in the Southern Hemisphere. "Both are likely to provide an enhanced and disturbed solar wind environment to start off February, but our models indicate more likely influences from the northern CH (coronal hole)," said Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. Why 2024 Was A Big Deal For The Sun These dark areas on the Sun, as seen in satellite images, can produce space weather events known as coronal hole high-speed streams (CH HSS), which can trigger Northern Lights on Earth. The SWPC rates solar storms on a five-level scale, with five being the most extreme and rarest space weather conditions. As of Tuesday, the SWPC is considering active conditions between Feb. 1 and 3, just short of G1, the first level of a geomagnetic storm. As the CH HSS influences first begin to reach Earth, there is a chance for G1 (minor) storm conditions. If G1 levels are reached as a coronal high-speed stream impacts Earth, the Northern Lights could be visible along the northern tier and Upper Midwest. Unlike coronal mass ejection, which can take between one and three days to reach Earth's atmosphere, coronal holes can have delayed impacts. A coronal hole looks like a vast area of blackness in the Sun because coronal holes don't have plasma. The plasma is missing because it travels into space, streaming along the Sun's magnetic field lines. What Causes The Northern Lights? Depending on where the coronal hole is located, it can impact what we experience on Earth. A coronal hole high-speed stream produces increased solar winds that leave the Sun radially. "When a CH rotates to the center of the Sun (directly facing Earth), the elevated speed starts its journey towards our planet. So, by the time the CH rotates to somewhere between 40-60 degrees west longitude (towards the right side limb of the Sun), that is usually when the HSS and its associated effects reach us here at Earth," Dahl said. However, CH HSS can sometimes have lasting impacts because the Sun spins every 27 days. If Earth gets hit by a high-speed stream, there's a chance it could strike again in 27 article source: Giant hole in the Sun could trigger solar storms in early February
