A spectacular solar X4.9 solar flare from returning sunspot group AR 1967 on Feb. 25 wasn’t supposed to have much affect on Earth. Surprise! Even though the plasma blast shot off to one side of the sun’s disk, our planet’s magnetic bubble received a glancing blow from the explosion this afternoon. Talk about explosion – swarms of electrons and protons left the sun at an estimated 4.4 million mph!
As of 5 p.m. CST, a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm is in progress with strong auroras flaring up over across Europe as far south as southern Germany. Should the activity continue, skywatchers in the northern U.S. and possibly farther south will have a good chance at seeing the northern lights tonight. With no moon present, conditions will be ideal for aurora watching. Start looking as soon as possible after twilight ends this evening.
Click HERE to see the extent of the auroral oval, which will help you determine if northern lights might be visible from your location. I’ll update as needed. Good luck!
UPDATE 9 p.m. CST: Aurora out here in Duluth as a so-far quiet bright arc low in the northern sky.
Your “auroras flaring up over Iceland and the Scandinavian countries” are the understatement of the year: this was seen this evening from south(!) of Hamburg(!!), Germany(!!!) …
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your observation – I will update. I use Ovation to figure the extent of the oval and try to err on the conservative side.
I just saw a big fireball or meteor or something and I’m in Richmond, va. What was it?
Sounds like a bright meteor Brian.
I just saw the coolest thing I have ever saw. I was driving home and saw a bright light that caught my eye it was blue looking at one end and had a long white tail or streak behind it. It went over a hill so I couldn’t tell how long it lasted. I am going to go tomorrow and see if I can see any evidence. I have never been interested in this stuff but I am now. I live in Nickelsville Va. Can someone email me and let me know what it may have been.
Hi Alisha,
It looks like both you and Brian (see below) saw a bright fireball meteor. Here is more information on what you saw: http://www.amsmeteors.org/members/fireball/browse_reports?report_status=pending
Hi,
Do you think there will be any luck for us in the Twin Cities to see the aurora tonight?
Lia,
Not sure. We do have a bright arc low in the north here in Duluth though.
Thanks, I’ll make it up there someday to see it!
bob, do you think it’ll peak in our part? i know a friend on cornucopia, wi saw faint lights earlier, but nothing on the ashland, washburn side.
Saleema,
Looks like we only caught the tail end of what was a nice storm as seen from n. Europe.
Done at 10 for work. I will be glancing to the north tonight. Maybe stop for a minute, shut the lights off as I am driving east.Hopefully I will see the northern lights I remember.
Bob, what causes the aurora to be seen very much further south than normal?
Carol,
The auroral oval becomes broader and expands southward as hordes of charged particles – mostly electrons – travel down the planet’s magnetic field lines during a geomagnetic storm.
Thanks, Bob! I had an idea that was the cause, but wasn’t totally sure!
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