X9.0 Solar Flare likely to bring northern lights this weekend

Aurora Borealis is likely to appear in northern states of United States (US), and from midwest to Oregon
An undated image of Aurora lights. — Unsplash
An undated image of Aurora lights. — Unsplash

The sun erupted an X9.0 solar flare on Wednesday (October 2), crushing out May’s flare to become a robust flare of Solar Cycle 25, which was pointed towards the Earth. The recently spotted solar flare is the largest one since 2017, even aurora borealis are likely to occur in a few days. 

Solar flares do not produce Northern lights, but they are produced by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that are generated from a specific sunspot. CMEs combined with flares, are capable of causing a solar storm that engages with Earth’s magnetic field and magnetosphere.

The CMEs release a plasma and magnetic field, which is directed towards Earth, as the magnetosphere resists the storm and as a result, an aurora borealis is produced. 

Read more: Aurora borealis — Get ready for another dazzling display of nature

According to Met Office Space Weather Manager Krista Hammond: “There is the potential for a coronal mass ejection to arrive at Earth late on Friday or early on Saturday, which could lead to visible aurora for Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England.”

Another CME might arrive towards the Earth on Saturday and Sunday, combined with an x9 solar flare, which indicates an “enhanced auroral visibility is possible further south across central England and similar latitudes, though cloud and rain could hamper viewing potential for some.” 

Northern lights forecast 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Centre predicted that the Aurora Borealis is likely to appear in the northern states of the United States (US), and from the midwest to Oregon.