Solar Flare 2012: When to Watch, Effects on Aurora Borealis
Baku, March 10 (AZERTAC). A massive solar storm may spark an intense northern lights display for skywatchers at high latitudes on Thursday as a wave of charged particles reach the planet.
Two huge solar flares erupted from the sun late Tuesday evening triggering one of the most powerful solar storms in more than five years, sending particles traveling at four million miles per hour, and the potential to shake the planet’s magnetic field, disrupt utility grids & satellite networks, and make GPS less accurate. The storm could also trigger communication problems and additional radiation around the north and south poles, a risk that has caused airlines to reroute some flights. The solar storm, however, doesn’t exactly hint at impending doom for the earth. In fact, it’s part of a normal 11-year cycle of activity for the sun.
What is does do, however, if provide all of us with the potential to see a pretty cool show. The solar storm will hit earth early on Thursday. It is expected to expand the Northern Lights (also called the Aurora Borealis). Scientists say that the brightly colored lights could be visible in the skies on Thursday night.
Joseph Kunches, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explaines, "Auroras are probably the treat that we get when the sun erupts."
The wave of corneal mass from the sun hit Earth last night, and as you read this, the Earth’s magnetic field is trying to fight off the attack and spread the solar mass around the planet, according to the Telegram.
If the Earth’s magnetic field is unable to turn away the intruder, the effects will really only be felt by those flying on intercontinental routes - whose flights may be delayed and slightly re-routed - and night skywatchers, who may stand a better chance of seeing some impressive Northern Lights (aurora borealis), although clouds and a full moon may make that even that difficult.
It’s best to be as north as possible. In fact, scientists say that the show on Thursday night may not be visible south of the Great Lakes states. Sorry Florida, you’re probably out of luck. You’ll have to go back to your delicious, fresh-squeezed orange juice, thrilling amusement parks and warm weather.
Dr. Craig Underwood, Deputy Director of the Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, explains "The event is the largest for several years, but it is not in the most severe class. We may expect more storms of this kind and perhaps much more severe ones in the next year or so as we approach solar maximum (the most active phase of the Sun’s cycle).
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