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Rare Summer Aurora to Light Up Northern Skies
31 Jul
Summary
- Potential Northern Lights display expected overnight July 30-31.
- Coronal mass ejections may cause a G1-class geomagnetic storm.
- Viewing may be faint due to short nights and full moon.
Skywatchers in the northern U.S. have a chance to witness a rare summer aurora display overnight Thursday, July 30, into Friday. This celestial event is a potential consequence of glancing impacts from two coronal mass ejections originating from the sun.
NOAA forecasts a 25-30% probability of a G1-class geomagnetic storm, which could make the aurora visible in northern states, particularly those close to the Canadian border, such as Washington, Montana, and Michigan. However, viewing conditions may be challenging.
Short summer nights, combined with a bright full moon and ambient light pollution, could render the aurora faint. Detection might even require the use of phone cameras. Success in viewing hinges on several factors, including strong solar wind, clear skies, and a southward interplanetary magnetic field.
