![]() The holes in the Sun’s corona consist of cooler, less dense areas of plasma they also have more open magnetic fields, which poses ongoing issues for us here on Earth. Northern lights occur when plasma from Sun strikes Earth’s magnetic fieldĬMEs can of course take place anywhere on the Sun’s outer surface however, if one happens when the Earth is in its direct path, the collision of the solar plasma with the magnetic field that encircles the Earth can cause a geomagnetic storm.īeautiful to look at from space - and from Earth as well, as iridescent hues dance across the poles - these “solar storms” cause all manner of havoc if they occur at the wrong times. ![]() This may result in problems using GPS systems since they are reliant on satellite positioning and communications.īut that will all be worthwhile for stargazers, as they will be treated to some spectacular displays of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, as far south as New York tonight. This disturbance, part of the Sun’s normal cycle, in which plasma and geomagnetic fields are launched into space, will most likely occasion power grid and satellite orientation problems along with high-frequency radiowave issues. Credit: NASA/ Public DomainĪnother solar storm - also referred to as a geomagnetic storm - is due for tonight in the high latitudes of the globe due to a hole that has opened up in the sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, causing northern lights to appear above the horizon. ![]() ![]() Auroras, or northern lights as they are called in the northern hemisphere, will occur tonight across the higher latitudes as far south as New York due to solar flares. ![]()
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