It鈥檚 a nice day in the D.C. area, . But in the realm of Earth鈥檚 magnetic field, occurred that’s forecast to continue as a G2 storm. That could make an visible across portions of the U.S. Sunday night, including the D.C. area.
According to the northern U.S. states have a good chance of seeing aurora Sunday night, but the D.C. region鈥檚 more southerly location makes it more 鈥渋ffy.鈥�
Our best bet is to and space-related social media sites like , and for updates. At present, the forecast shows the aurora will be visible to northern states.
For those on the lookout, it will be worth taking a look north from a dark sky site with a clear horizon. You might be able to detect some color in the sky if aurora are present, but they would likely be low on the northern horizon. Wide-field binoculars may help.
For photographers, use a camera or smartphone that can take exposures of several seconds 鈥� including using 鈥淣ight Sky鈥� or 鈥淟ow Light鈥� settings (if your camera has them). Steady the camera or use a tripod for best image results. (The camera may capture aurora .)
While outside, be on the lookout for Taurid Meteor Shower fireballs too!
AURORA MAY BE VISIBLE TONIGHT!
A Geomagnetic event is ongoing that is creating the forecast OF AUORA visible tonight. Check their website for updates.
Look to the North with a clear horizon; take a pic w/ Smartphone or camera as they might image what you can’t see.鈥� Greg Redfern (@SkyGuyinVA)
More about aurora and space weather
We are directly which can produce a variety of events, including Sunday鈥檚 geomagnetic storm and the aurora.
Space weather, like our terrestrial weather, is caused by Earth鈥檚 interaction with our star, the Sun. We know it will be there every new day and count on it for life-giving warmth and energy. We also have become accustomed to it being well-behaved.
What many people may not know is that our Sun undergoes an throughout our solar system.
(I check this site every day just as I do my local weather) has a daily snapshot of what the space weather in the solar system is going to be like and a current image of the Sun.
that we have been monitoring since Galileo. Today, humans have a fleet of spacecraft that monitor the Sun and space weather 24x7x365.
The Sun is currently and is progressing which is predicted to occur July 2025. As the Sun approaches Solar Maximum it produces which produce space weather events like today鈥檚 Level G3 Geomagnetic Storm.
The Sun had an episode of disturbed behavior in 1859 that if it were to occur today could adversely affect us if we were not prepared.
On Sept. 1, 1859, the Sun experienced a solar storm episode observed by astronomer Richard Carrington. Eventually named this was a watershed event in understanding solar astronomy and the Sun’s effect on the Earth. Nothing like it has been observed since (thankfully as you will see).
If a the effect on modern society’s infrastructure could be potentially catastrophic, especially the electrical grid. If you think this is unlikely, or too to be true, I suggest you read the report published by the .
Just recently the Sun had a very , which, fortunately for us, occurred on the .
As you maybe now you will want to include a check on space weather as part of your daily routine.
I鈥檓 at Sunday night to close out my 9th season of .鈥� My guests and I will be on the lookout for aurora and fireballs!
Follow my to keep up with the latest news in astronomy and space exploration. You can email me at skyguyinva@gmail.com.
