Spectacular northern lights caused by a magnetic storm on the surface of the Sun can be observed across the province and across North America this evening.
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A major eruption emitted by the Sun on March 23 suggests a manifestation of auroras on the night of Monday March 25 to Tuesday March 26, and it would even have started on Sunday.
These solar flares send a stream of particles toward Earth, creating spectacular auroras in both hemispheres. In Quebec, the Northern Lights will be visible.
PHOTO COURTESY/PHILIPPE MOUSSETTE.COM
Storms are caused by coronal mass ejections, when clouds of plasma erupt from the atmosphere outside the Sun. The particles travel toward Earth, creating a shimmering spectacle when they collide with Earth’s magnetic field.
- Listen to the discussion between Benoit Dutrizac and Stéphanie Villeneuve via
:
And the more powerful the storm, the farther the auroras appear from the North and South Poles. On Sunday evening, the electromagnetic storm had already reached level G4, described as “severe”, according to the American Oceanic and Atmospheric Observation Agency (NOAA).
Aurora hunting
The solar particles emitted during this eruption arrived last night. A few disappointed people tried in vain to see the aurora in Quebec; maybe they’ll have better luck tonight.
The Kp index will be around 5 between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. this evening. To see them, move away from urban centers and head north. Then, let your eyes adjust to the darkness and look up into the sky toward the north.
- Listen to Alexandre Dubé talk about the eclipse on Benoit Dutrizac’s show via QUB :
The light phenomenon takes place on the night of a penumbral lunar eclipse, which will be apparent worldwide, but could potentially ruin the view of the Northern Lights.
This Monday March 25 also coincides with the day of the full Moon, the brightness of which does not help us better perceive astronomical events. Good luck!