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News18
3 days ago
- Science
- News18
Powerful Solar Flare Sparks Geomagnetic Storms, Auroras Likely In Southern Skies
Positioned near the centre of the Earth-facing solar disc, this flare was accompanied by a major, asymmetrical full halo coronal mass ejection (CME). Earth was hit by a powerful geomagnetic storm on Sunday, June 1, with a speed of upwards of 1000 km/sec later. According to Space Weather Live, sunspot region 4100 produced a beautiful, long-duration M8.2-class solar flare, which peaked at 05:35 IST today (00:05 UTC). Located near the center of the Earth-facing solar disk, this flare is particularly significant. The eruption is associated with a Type II radio emission, indicating a coronal mass ejection (CME) was launched and current coronagraph imagery suggests it likely has an Earth-directed component. Positioned near the centre of the Earth-facing solar disc, this flare was accompanied by a major, asymmetrical full halo coronal mass ejection (CME), clearly visible in SOHO/LASCO imagery. This CME is all but certain to have an Earth-directed component, setting the stage for possible space weather impacts, including auroras, radio disturbances, and power grid fluctuations in higher latitudes. According to Space Weather Live, a minor G1-class geomagnetic storm was observed today, 1 June 2025, as the Kp index reached Level 5 — the threshold for a G1 storm — at 09:24 UTC, which is 14:54 IST. advetisement There is a slight possibility of auroral activity becoming visible in mid-latitude regions of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly around Hobart, Australia, and Invercargill, New Zealand, reported Space Live Weather. This potential is driven by highly active solar wind conditions, with the solar wind speed currently measured at an exceptionally high 1,023 km/sec. Additionally, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength is elevated at 25.55 nT. However, the IMF is currently pointing northward (6.11 nT), which typically reduces the chance of strong geomagnetic activity since a southward IMF is more favourable for coupling with Earth's magnetic field. While auroral visibility remains limited for now, even a brief southward shift in the IMF could quickly increase activity, making it worth monitoring if you're located in or near these regions. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 01, 2025, 16:08 IST
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Has a geomagnetic storm hit Earth? Massive solar flare reported; aurora likely
Earth was struck by a powerful Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), with the speed of upwards of 1000 km/sec late on Saturday amid fears of a rare geomagnetic storm. Space Weather Live cited the CMS speed to report that the wave has been measured by the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) spacecraft located at the Sun-Earth L1 point. 'With the current speed, it will take the solar wind 25 minutes to propagate from DSCOVR to Earth,' Space Weather Live added. The CME, a massive eruption of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun's corona, reached Earth at around 1:30 AM ET on June 1, as predicted by NASA and NOAA models. Read More: Geomagnetic storm today: List of states where northern lights will be seen. Latest aurora map here reported solar wind speeds peaking at 1002 km/sec, with the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength (Bt) reaching 25 nT and a southward Bz component of -18 nT. These conditions allow solar wind energy to penetrate Earth's magnetosphere and trigger auroras. Auroral activity is expected to be spectacular, with vibrant green, red, and purple displays caused by charged particles colliding with atmospheric gases. Space Weather Live further notes that G4 storms expand the auroral oval to 45–50° geomagnetic latitude, making the northern lights visible in states like Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and parts of New York. A potential G5 escalation could extend visibility to southern states like Alabama, Oregon, and Northern California. Meanwhile, the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) noted that the storm has sparked aurora alerts for as far south as Alabama and Northern California, while raising concerns about potential disruptions to power grids, satellites, and radio communications. The NOAA further warns of potential disruptions to power grids, with voltage irregularities possible in high-latitude regions. Satellites may experience drag and orientation issues, while GPS and radio signals could face intermittent outages. The CME's origin, an M8.2 flare from AR14100, was identified by Space Weather Live as a full-halo event, indicating an Earth-directed trajectory. The flare, peaking at 0005 UTC on May 31, also raised concerns about R1-R2 radio blackouts.
Time Out
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Time Out
The 10 best ways to photograph the Aurora Australis, according to an expert
Last year was an absolute ripper for spotting the Aurora Australis in Australia. Thanks to heightened solar activity, the Aurora Australis was amazingly active, shining bright in our southernmost skies – and being spotted (and photographed) by more Aussies than ever before. Scientists predict that we could witness equally impressive light shows any time between now and the end of 2025. Internationally renowned Aussie photographer and videographer, Michael Haluwana, has spent years chasing and capturing the Aurora. With two decades of experience under his belt, he says, 'The vivid swirls of green, purple and red dancing through the sky are unlike anything else.' Now, Haluwana's sharing his top ten tips to help you witness and photograph the Aurora Australis like a total pro. 1. Set alerts for aurora activity 'There are numerous websites and apps available to help predict aurora activity. I rely on two key sources: Space Weather Live and NOAA, which provide real-time solar activity data and solar wind speeds. These factors are essential for calculating the KP index, a measure of geomagnetic activity...," Haluwana says. "In general, the higher the KP index, the greater the chances of witnessing a vibrant aurora display.' 2. Assess the weather conditions 'Clear skies with minimal cloud cover are essential…," Haluwana advises. "To assess conditions, I rely on weather apps, primarily Windy, to monitor snow, rain, wind speed and cloud cover.' 3. Choose the right location 'Scouting an area during daylight allows you to explore different spots, plan your composition, and choose the best foreground or background elements for your shots…," Haluwana says. "In the Southern Hemisphere, you'll need to look toward the southern sky for the best views.' 4. Pay attention to the moon Haluwana explains, 'On moonless nights, the foreground and background will be dark, often resulting in silhouette-style photos. While some photographers prefer this look, I personally like having some moonlight to illuminate the landscape, adding depth and beauty to the scene.' 5. Choose a solid base setting for your camera Haluwana recommends setting the widest aperture available on your lens to let in as much light as possible and the ISO to the highest value your camera can handle while keeping digital noise to a minimum. The final key setting is shutter speed/exposure: Haluwana suggests a shutter speed of 7-15 seconds for faint or static auroras, and 1-3 seconds for vibrant and very active auroras. Finally, use a manual white balance to ensure consistency across all your photos and time-lapses. 6. Use manual focusing and take some test shots 'Set your lens to manual focus and use your camera's screen to zoom in on a distant, bright object – such as a star, moon or light. Adjust the focus ring until the object appears as sharp as possible...," Haluwana explains. "Once you've achieved focus, I recommend taking a few test shots to ensure everything is sharp. Then, be careful not to move the focus ring or tripod once you've locked in the focus distance.' 7. Don't use filters Haluwana suggests, 'Avoid using any filters, as they can introduce unwanted artefacts and distort your aurora photos.' 8. Pack the right equipment Haluwana's must-have tools include: a sturdy tripod, a lens warmer (to prevent fogging in cold conditions), an intervalometer, batteries (cold temperatures drain batteries quickly, so carry spares) and an extra memory card. 9. Plan creative compositions beforehand 'While a shot of the aurora itself is stunning, you can often capture the best of both worlds by incorporating elements of the landscape.' Haluwana specifically recommends: Don't just focus on the sky – include the ground Look for reflections in lakes, puddles or icy surfaces Try different perspectives – town lights, people, roads Convey scale using people, animals or landscape features 10. Don't rush it 'Don't rush in your excitement when you first see the aurora…," Haluwana concludes. "Get your gear set up quickly, capture your first few shots and then fine-tune the settings to your liking.'
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Aurora alert! Moderate geomagnetic storm could spark northern lights as far south as New York and Idaho tonight (March 25)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a geomagnetic storm warning for tonight (March 25) due to incoming turbulent solar weather. This is exciting news for aurora enthusiasts, as the expected G2-level storm could bring northern lights as far south as New York and Idaho. NOAA's SWPC forecasts the Kp index to peak at 5.67 over the next 24 hours, signaling strong geomagnetic activity. For the latest aurora forecast and timing updates, check NOAA's 3-day space weather outlook. The predicted increase in geomagnetic activity is driven by a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) — a turbulent area in the solar wind where fast-moving streams collide with slower wind ahead of them. CIRs can generate shock waves similar to those found in coronal mass ejections (CMEs), enhancing space weather effects. This particular CIR is fueled by a massive Earth-facing coronal hole in the sun's atmosphere. Coronal holes are regions where the sun's magnetic field opens up, allowing high-speed solar wind to escape freely into space. In ultraviolet images, these areas appear darker because they lack the hot, glowing gases typically trapped by magnetic fields, according to In more great news for aurora enthusiasts, this surge in geomagnetic activity comes at the perfect time. That's because Earth is currently in an ideal position for dazzling auroras, thanks to its proximity to the vernal equinox, which occurred on March 20. Auroras tend to be stronger around the equinoxes due to a phenomenon known as the Russell-McPherron effect. During this period, Earth's magnetic field can develop temporary "cracks," allowing even weak solar wind to penetrate and spark brilliant displays. Unlike other times of the year when Earth is tilted toward or away from the sun, the equinox brings a more neutral alignment. This allows the solar wind's magnetic field to interact more efficiently with Earth's, channeling energy into the atmosphere and enhancing auroral activity. We could be in for a spectacular show tonight, so keep your eyes on the skies! To stay updated on aurora activity, consider using a space weather app that provides real-time forecasts based on your location. A great option is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts" (available for iOS and Android). For a deeper dive into space weather conditions, "Space Weather Live" is another excellent choice (available for iOS and Android)
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Aurora alert: Giant 'hole' in sun and strong geomagnetic storm converge to supercharge northern lights this weekend
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A massive eruption on the sun that flung solar plasma toward Earth on Friday may trigger a strong geomagnetic storm this weekend that could supercharge auroras across the northern United States. The solar eruption, called a coronal mass ejection (or CME), exploded on Friday (March 21) even as a so-called "coronal hole" opened on the sun to unleash a separate high-speed stream of solar particles toward Earth. The result: A tag-team of solar material that should reach Earth this weekend to amplify northern lights displays late Saturday and early Sunday (March 22-23). "A coronal hole high speed stream and coronal mass ejection arrival are likely to combine this coming night (Sat 22 Mar), bringing Enhanced to Strong solar wind speeds for a time," the Meteorological Office of the United Kingdom wrote in an update today. In the U.S., the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an alert for a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm watch for Sunday, which could make auroras visible as far south as Oregon and U.S. states across the lower Midwest. "Watches at this level are infrequent, but not uncommon," NOAA officials wrote in the alert. Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun's solar wind reach Earth, where they are funneled over our planet's polar regions to Earth's magnetic field. When those particles interact with the upper atmosphere, they cause a glow (usually in green) visibel to skywatchers. Spikes in those interactions can reach geomagnetic storm levels like the G3 storm watch issued by NOAA. When the sun unleashes major solar flares, erutions or particle streams, that baseline aurora activity amps up, with the northern lights visible farther south than its typical polar regions. Increased solar activity can also lead to different colors of auroras, such as stunning reds and purples, in addition to green. If you live in the visibility region for this weekend's potential northern lights and want to try and see the auroras, you'll need to find the darkest skies possible. Light pollution from city lights and even street lights can spoil the view (just like during meteor showers). The space weather that drives northern lights displays can be unpredictable, so it's helpful to use an app you can personalize to your viewing location to get updates during storm watches like this weekend's. We typically recommend "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available on both iOS and Android, as well as "Space Weather Live" app on iOS and Android. Editor's note: If you observe the northern lights this weekend and capture a stunning photo or video that you'd like to share with we want to see it! You can send in photos, video and observing comments in to spacephotos@
