A spectacular natural event is on the horizon for Northern California this weekend, as auroras could grace the night sky on Friday and Saturday. This celestial phenomenon is a rare occurrence, driven by the first severe geomagnetic storm monitored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center in almost twenty years. Classified as a Level 4 event on NOAA’s scale, this storm promises to be an extraordinary sight.
The storm was triggered by the launch of at least four coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun over the past few days. These CMEs, described by NASA as massive bubbles of plasma or charged particles, are expected to reach Earth by Friday afternoon and persist through Sunday. As these charged particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, they create the mesmerizing auroras, visible in the night sky.
Gerald McKeegan, an astronomer at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, explained that the increased solar activity, typical during the sun’s 11-year solar cycle, has led to a surge in sunspots and CMEs. Despite initially being five separate CMEs, they merged into what McKeegan referred to as a “cannibal storm.” While these phenomena may appear dramatic, they pose no direct threat to Earth due to our distance from the sun.
To witness the auroras, observers are advised to seek out remote, high-elevation locations away from urban light pollution, such as Mount Hamilton, Mount Diablo, or the Chabot Space & Science Center, which is hosting telescope viewings on both nights. Although the spectacle may not be as vivid as in northern regions like Alaska, it is expected to be visible for several hours.
However, the intensity of the storms may lead to disruptions in communication and possible power outages over the weekend. McKeegan reassures that while such disturbances are possible, they are typically short-lived, serving as a reminder of the power of nature.
As the auroras light up the night sky, Californians have the opportunity to witness a rare and awe-inspiring display of natural beauty.
