On Monday, Earth was struck by a powerful solar storm that could bring the northern lights to areas further south than usual, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
NOAA reported that a level-four geomagnetic storm—just one step below the most extreme level—began at around 3:00 PM GMT and could continue for several hours. While the storm is intense, it’s not expected to worsen further.
The storm, caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), involves explosions of particles from the Sun that disrupt Earth’s magnetic field. NOAA mentioned that the auroras might even be visible as far south as Alabama and northern California in the United States.
Eric Lagadec, an astrophysicist in France, mentioned on social media that auroras were already visible and could be seen later at night. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick also shared a stunning photo of the northern lights from the International Space Station.
While the auroras are a beautiful sight, solar storms like this can cause disruptions. They can interfere with communications, affect satellites, and even cause power grid issues. Operators of critical infrastructure have been alerted to minimize potential damage.
This recent surge in solar activity is part of the Sun’s 11-year cycle, which is currently near its peak. In May, Earth experienced its most powerful geomagnetic storm in 20 years, leading to widespread auroras at much lower latitudes than usual.