A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from the sun, which is a massive burst of charged particles embedded in a magnetic field that interacts with Earth's magnetic field, took place on Sunday.
This CME is expected to arrive within the next 24 hours and that could mean we get to see the northern lights.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch this morning in anticipation of the CME arrival. This watch could be upgraded to a warning in time.
NOAA highlights that there is potential for the aurora to be visible as far south as Alabama. It's possible we could see them here in central North Carolina as well.
A storm of this magnitude could impact power systems, spacecraft operations, radio frequencies and satellite navigation.
If the auroras are indeed visible this far south tonight, it will likely not be with the naked eye. Your best bet to see the lights is to follow these tips:
- Get away from city lights (light pollution)
- Look North on the horizon
- Shoot in long exposure mode on your phone/camera
- Stabilize your phone/camera
The magnetic orientation of the CME's magnetic field determines how visible the auroras will be.
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