TOLEDO, Ohio — A dazzling display of the Northern Lights is possible later this week after the eruption of a massive solar flare that has been detected by the Space Weather Prediction Center.
On Oct. 1, a strong (R3) solar flare erupted from the Active Region 3842 on the sun. To date, this was the second strongest solar flare so far in the Solar Cycle 25.
The only stronger solar flare was an X8.7 flare this past spring on May 14. This flare did not feature a strong Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). This latest solar flare is expected to have an Earth-directed CME, which upon arrival, would interact with the Earth's outermost atmosphere, exciting the Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights.
A strong (G3) geomagnetic storm is expected to peak Friday night. Clear skies and a new moon will be nearly perfect for many in the United States from the Great Lakes to the Northern Plains for viewing.
There may be an opportunity to view the Northern Lights activity in two waves: very early Friday morning and again on Friday evening. The highest activity may be from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday night and into Friday morning and again from dusk to midnight (or later) on Friday evening.
Having a clear view of the northern skies, away from city and outdoor lights, will be essential in having the chance to view this spectacle.
Allow some time for your eyes to adjust to the natural darkness. It is also worth stating that using a long exposure camera or phone camera can capture and enhance the more vivid colors of the Northern Lights.
Use the camera on your phone to help locate and detect some of the fainter Northern Lights that may show lower or dimmer on the horizon.
If the current forecast holds, a Kp Index of 7 is in the forecast and expected to peak Friday evening. This has been known to send views of the Northern Lights across Michigan and south to the Ohio River.
Stay tuned, the WTOL 11 weather team will continue to post updates and monitor the skies that are anticipated to remain mainly clear.