Solar storms show Aurora Borealis across the USA amid geomagnetic eruption
Thousands of people across the United States of America caught a rare glimpse of the Northern Lights this weekend.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had forecast strong geomagnetic storms for the end of this week, which would cause Aurora Borealis to be visible in almost half the US states.
Because of these storms, the KP Index - which measures global auroral activity on a scale of zero to nine - was upped to four, with the Northern Lights visible from Alaska to as far south as Iowa; this index was then expected to peak as high as seven.
The Northern Lights do become more visible during the winter months, but this is typically restricted to the most northern parts of the world. Canada, Norway and Iceland often present the best opportunity to see the phenomenon.
Put simply, Aurora Borealis is caused by a collision between particles from the sun and atoms in our planet’s atmosphere. A solar wind is created that then releases light energy when heated - producing the Northern Lights.
Because this weekend’s solar storms were so strong, much more of the world was able to see the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, it’s not forecast to continue much longer.
An NOAA forecaster said: “Troughing over the eastern half of the country will persist, while ridging in the west degrades beneath the arrival of a transient trough over the north west on Monday.
“Dry and windy weather at the base of the digging upper trough will generate critical fire weather conditions over southern to southeastern Texas. Red flag warnings are in effect.”