ST. GEORGE — Scientists devoted to tracking viewing opportunities for aurora borealis, more commonly known as the northern lights, reported on Twitter that residents in Utah might get their second chance this year.
“Based on current data, we’ve moved our possible Northern Lights viewing farther south. A moderate, strong, or severe geomagnetic storm is possible,” tweeted Space Weather Watch.
The group stated a strong interplanetary shock was detected on Earth at 12:01 p.m. MST.
“The coronal mass ejection has arrived, moderate, strong and severe geomagnetic storming expected,” the social media post continued.
The Space Weather Prediction Center — operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — also predicted the possibility for viewing in the United States due to a strong solar storm.
According to the NOAA media release:
Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 45 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents – Possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems may mistakenly trip out key assets from the power grid. Induced pipeline currents intensify.
Spacecraft – Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low earth orbit satellites, and tracking and orientation problems may occur.
Navigation – Satellite navigation (GPS) degraded or inoperable for hours.
Radio – HF (high frequency) radio propagation sporadic or blacked out.
Aurora – Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California.
Just last month, KSLTV.com reported northern light sightings in Utah from several residents. The phenomena caused by geomagnetic storms is usually only visible to those living in severe northern parts of the planet, such as Alaska and Canada.
In March, Utah’s Ashley National Forest shared photos on Facebook taken by Ranger Aaron Selig of aurora showing clouds with a red/pink hue on the color spectrum, as well as the green most know from photos taken in Norway, Iceland and Greenland.
A government website for tourists in Alaska states the best times for viewing aurora borealis are between the hours of midnight to 4 a.m. MST.
“To be sure of seeing Aurora, plan to stay up most of the night,” according to Alaska.gov. “The best hours often are near midnight (2 a.m. MST). Wear warm clothing. Stay away from city, or other bright lights that can obscure the views. If you plan to photograph the Aurora, bring a tripod. Bright as it is, the Aurora still requires time exposures of several seconds.”
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