An unusually strong solar storm is heading towards Earth, potentially disrupting communications and creating dazzling northern lights. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare storm watch to warn of the solar eruption’s arrival. The storm is expected to mainly affect power plant operators and spacecraft occupants. Residents in the northern U.S. are encouraged to view the auroras caused by the storm.
The solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sunspot cluster are driving the solar storm towards Earth. The storm is one level away from being the most severe on a five-level scale. While the storm could disrupt infrastructure like satellites and the power grid, experts do not expect significant damage this time. NOAA is working with operators to prepare for any potential disruption.
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are expected to be visible in the northern U.S. over the weekend due to the solar storm. The particles from the storm interacting with Earth’s magnetic field will create colorful auroras. The best time to see them is usually within an hour or two of midnight. NOAA provides short-term forecasts of the auroras on their dashboard. Despite the potential disruptions from the solar storm, Earth’s magnetic field provides protection for humans.
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