Tonight, there are aurora borealis visible in regions unaccustomed to the phenomenon | Space

True shows of color adorning the sky. The famous images of aurora borealis that we know mainly from the internet or television will jump from the screen to reality, tonight, not only in the Nordic regions but also in areas of the United Kingdom and the United States where this phenomenon is much rarer. (No. Initially, it will not be visible in Portugal.)

The northern lights may be visible between tonight and the early hours of Saturday morning. The cause is a solar storm, part of a period of great activity in the star, which reached its peak this year.

The northern lights are caused by flows of particles that, transported by solar winds, come into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere. They are then directed towards the polar regions, through the planet’s magnetic field.

The fact that the Sun will reach its maximum activity in 2024 changes this scenario, however. More activity means more solar storms, which makes the famous light displays stronger.

In a solar storm, a coronal mass ejection occurs, that is, a mass of plasma is released from the solar atmosphere. The particles then flow toward Earth, creating larger aurora borealis.

According to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website, the celestial event that will now cover unusual areas is the result of a “series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections that began on May 8”.

“At least five explosions were associated with coronal mass ejections”, says the entity.

In North America, in addition to Canada, and as reported by the BBC, the aurora borealis will be visible in much of the northern part of the United States. The regions most likely to witness the event are located in northern Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and most of North Dakota. There is also the possibility of understanding Alabama and northern California, we are much further south and little used to the phenomenon.

In Europe, in the United Kingdom, there is a greater chance of witnessing the event in Scotland, the north of England and Wales, reports Sky News. If conditions are favorable, it may be seen even further south.

According to the Met Office, the United Kingdom’s meteorological service, the most favorable situation for seeing the Northern Lights is in a dark, cloud-free sky, in remote areas, far from urban light pollution.

Text edited by Pedro Guerreiro