From Space · · 1m 20s
Northern Lights Boosted by Solar Eruptions
Three solar eruptions could light up the northern US this weekend.
In brief
Three solar eruptions could light up the northern US this weekend. Three coronal mass ejections from sunspot AR4549 may enhance northern lights visibility across the northern US this weekend. Originally reported by Space.
Three solar eruptions heading to Earth
Three coronal mass ejections erupted from sunspot region AR4549 on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7.
First CME expected to arrive Oct. 9
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts the most significant CME to reach Earth on Oct. 9.
Second CME possible Oct. 9
The second CME could deliver a glancing blow around the same time as the first.
Third CME expected Oct. 10-11
A third CME erupted on Oct. 8 and could arrive around Oct. 10-11.
Auroras visible in northern US
NOAA's aurora forecast suggests auroral activity could be enhanced across northern North America.
Southern states may see auroras
If the incoming CMEs interact favorably with Earth's magnetic field, auroras could reach as far south as New York and Idaho.
When to look for auroras
Forecasters predict minor geomagnetic conditions between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. EDT on Oct. 8-9, followed by a possible moderate peak between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. EDT on Oct. 9.
The key point
Three coronal mass ejections from sunspot AR4549 may enhance northern lights visibility across the northern US this weekend.
