Northern lights to light up sky on December 9: When, where and how to view the rare celestial event

Source: Space.com

A powerful rise in solar activity could push the northern lights far beyond their usual northern zones, creating a rare opportunity for skywatchers across the United States. Scientists are monitoring a strong burst of energy from the sun known as a coronal mass ejection, which sends charged particles racing toward Earth. When these particles interact with the planet’s magnetic field, they can intensify geomagnetic activity and cause colourful auroral displays to expand into lower latitudes. This event may allow vibrant green and purple glows to appear in regions that rarely experience the aurora. Experts emphasise that visibility will depend on cloud cover, darkness, and the strength of the incoming solar disturbance, making the coming days especially promising for observers.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Centre has reported that a significant coronal mass ejection is heading for Earth on 9 December. A coronal mass ejection releases massive clouds of plasma and magnetised particles from the sun. When these particles reach Earth, they interact with the planet’s magnetic field and can cause large surges in geomagnetic activity.Key effects include:

These interactions are what create the colourful light displays known as the aurora borealis.

Auroras are only visible at night because daylight washes out the glow of atmospheric collisions.The most favourable viewing times are:

NOAA emphasises that the darkest hours of the night usually provide the most vibrant and stable display conditions.

Based on NOAA’s current projection, aurora visibility may extend into parts of:

Actual sightings will depend on weather, cloud cover and levels of light pollution.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Centre has reported that a significant coronal mass ejection is heading for Earth. A coronal mass ejection involves the release of massive clouds of plasma and magnetised particles from the sun. When these particles reach Earth, they interact with the planet’s magnetic field and can cause large surges in geomagnetic activity.Key effects of a coronal mass ejection include:

These interactions create the colourful light displays known as the aurora borealis.

NOAA has outlined a predicted “view line” showing the southernmost point where the aurora may appear on the northern horizon. On 9 December, parts of roughly fifteen states fall into or near this zone.However, the agency stresses that predictions are not perfect. Key reasons visibility may exceed forecasts:

This means people living south of the forecast line may still catch a faint glow if the event intensifies.

The aurora borealis forms when energetic solar particles travel along Earth’s magnetic field lines and collide with gases in the atmosphere. These collisions cause the gases to emit light, creating glowing ribbons in shades of green, red and purple.Important factors influencing auroral colour and intensity:

During stronger solar events, these interactions become more intense and spread wider across the sky.

NOAA is forecasting a K-index score of 5 for 9 December. The K-index measures geomagnetic disturbance intensity on a scale from 0 to 9.What a K-index of 5 means:

The event is also classified as a G1 geomagnetic storm. Although considered minor, G1 storms are fully capable of producing vibrant auroras, especially under dark-sky conditions.Also Read | Alien signal or atmospheric mystery? NASA reveals truth behind red ‘jellyfish’ lights and sprites over Earth Go to Source