Latest Auroral Display - From G4 Level Solar Storm- Lights Up Skies As Far South As AL, MS, TX

 

          Sept. 10 solar storm triggers green aurora in Edmonton, Alberta

The most powerful  solar storm since a show in May – one that space scientists called a space spectacle of a lifetime - marked the latest in a recent string of geomagnetic events.  This storm slammed Earth on Monday night, Sept. 16 - sending auroras  far south in the Northern Hemisphere. Spawned by a coronal mass ejection (CME), a powerful explosive stream of plasma unleashed by the Sun, the storm reached level G4 or “severe” on the 1 to 5 scale for geomagnetic storms.

In this case the aurorae were visible in portions of Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, California and other locations at similar latitudes. It followed another G4 event last month that also produced northern lights in parts of the southern United States.

The northern lights display was vibrant enough to shine through the bright light of a supermoon that reaches totality Tuesday night. Unfortunately, clouds obstructed the view in a number of places that would likely have otherwise caught a glimpse. Much of the Mid-Atlantic, including the D.C. area, had low visibility.

The  cause of this latest northern lights episode and the others in recent months is a solar cycle heading toward peak intensity.  See link below for more on the sunspot cycle:

• Examining The Nature Of Sunspot Cycles (1)

And:

• Examining The Nature Of Sunspot Cycles (2)

 The peak of any given cycle, however, cannot be determined until after the fact. But space weather forecasters can still predict fairly accurately over the next year or so. And that means that more intense geomagnetic storms and displays of the northern lights are probable.

The solar cycle peak is associated with an increase in sunspot numbers, and more sunspots lead to plentiful solar flare eruptions associated with magnetic disturbances that sweep past Earth.  (See two links given above). While the cycle lasts an average of 11 years, it can be as short as eight or as long as 14, according to space.com.  

But be assured many more of these spectacular events are yet to come as the Sun works its way up to maximum, meaning many more CMEs (hopefully not launched from the central meridian) toward planet Earth.

See Also:

• A Look At Basic Solar Dynamo Theory

 And:

A Threat To U.S. Power Grids? Solar X-Ray Flares .

And:

Solar Max Peak Expected To Be Earlier & More Violent Than Originally Forecast