For thousands of years, people have watched the vibrant auroras dance across the night sky. But these magnificent displays are more than just a pretty sight. They are a warning sign of a hidden danger: geomagnetically induced currents. Auroras are caused by particles from the sun hitting the Earth’s magnetic field. These forces can compress … Read more
The Northern Lights, also called aurora, are a natural light show caused by the solar wind. … [+] (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Universal Images Group via Getty Images Scientists predict that interplanetary shocks that directly impact Earth’s magnetic field could damage any infrastructure that conducts electricity, according to a … Read more
Each year, Greenwich’s Royal Observatory considers photographs of the cosmos for its Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition. The 16th edition of the competition does not disappoint. From distant spinning galaxies to dazzling auroras on our own planet, this year’s entrants show off everything the heavens have to offer. If you’re in the London area, … Read more
Topline The Northern Lights are expected to return to the continental United States this week after a weekend display in northern and eastern states, a precursor to the much more powerful aurora expected on Wednesday. KIRUNA, SWEDEN – MARCH 7: The Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights, can be seen in … [+] … Read more
Topline A strong geomagnetic storm could make the Northern Lights visible again across the continental US on Friday in states including New York, Wisconsin and Washington, making the aurora “quite bright and active” for observers. An aurora borealis show can be seen in southern Norway late in the evening in February … [+] 28, 2019. … Read more
Topline After a strong solar flare on Monday and geomagnetic storm activity over the weekend, Tuesday evening could be the last time the US will witness the Northern Lights this week, although they won’t be as intense as May’s dazzling auroras. The Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, can be seen in the … Read more
Topline Forecasters predict that a geomagnetic storm could create enough solar activity to create visible northern lights in parts of Canada and the U.S. Friday and Saturday nights, although they won’t be as intense as the northern lights observed last month. Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis illuminate the night sky over Vienna during a geomagnetic … Read more
The beautiful green, purple and red colors of the Northern Lights may be visible tonight from northern parts of the upper Midwest thanks to a solar ejection crashing into Earth. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SPWC) has issued a G1 geomagnetic storm watch for June 4 in anticipation of … Read more
New research shows that the Sun’s magnetic field originates near the surface and not deep within the star. . This upends decades of prevailing scientific thinking, which placed the field more than 130,000 miles below the surface of the sun. It also brings us closer to understanding the nature of the Sun’s magnetic field, which … Read more