Is there a possibility of the Northern Lights being visible in the DC region?

Today has been good weather-wise in the D.C. area. However, in the domain of nearby space and Earth's magnetic field, there is presently a potent geomagnetic storm taking place. This storm has the potential to create auroras over some portions of the United States during Thursday or Friday evenings.

The aurora dashboard from the Space Weather Prediction Center offers a forecast of two days for the aurora phenomenon. In the following two days, there is a high possibility of people in the northern states witnessing the aurora. However, due to unfavorable weather forecasts and the fact that the area is located farther south, it is less likely for people in the D.C. area to see the aurora.

The most advisable thing to do is to keep an eye on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's resources and social media pages that are related to space. This includes websites such as EarthSky.org and space.com, in order to stay updated. If it seems like the aurora is going to be visible in the neighboring northern states, then it would be a good idea to take a peek towards the north from a location with a dark sky and a clear view.

If you're lucky, you may spot some hues in the sky when aurora is around, but they will most likely be visible towards the north and low on the horizon. You might find it helpful to use binoculars with a broad field of view. It's a good idea to use a camera or smartphone capable of taking longer exposures, and if your camera has options such as "Night Sky" or "Low Light," you should use them to capture images of the northern horizon.

Make sure to stabilize the camera by holding it steady or attaching it to a tripod, as this will yield higher-quality images. With any luck, the camera may even capture the beauty of the aurora that your own eyes are unable to see.

The conditions of our atmosphere on land shape our everyday experiences. Alongside this, we are impacted by the phenomena known as "space weather" which can lead to a range of happenings such as Thursday's geomagnetic storm and aurora.

Similar to how our planet's weather changes, space weather is also driven by the sun's impact on Earth. It's something we can rely on every day, providing us with vital heat and power. Generally, we assume the sun will behave appropriately. However, what most individuals may not realize is that the sun follows an 11-year solar cycle. This cycle can have an impact on space weather, influencing the entire solar system.

Every day, Spaceweather.com shares a quick look at the current state of space weather in our solar system, complete with an up-to-date picture of the sun.

The star at the center of our solar system has been shining for 4.5 billion years, and people have been observing it since the days of Galileo. Nowadays, we have a group of spacecraft that are constantly keeping an eye on the sun and space weather.

The current stage of the sun is in Solar Cycle 25 and is moving closer to Solar Maximum, which is anticipated to happen in July 2025. As the sun draws near to Solar Maximum, it generates greater amount of sunspots, leading to solar occurrences like the G3 geomagnetic storm that occurred on Thursday.

Back in 1859, the sun acted out erratically. If this were to happen in current times without any prior planning, our society that relies heavily on technology and communication could face severe consequences.

Back in September 1, 1859, the sun encountered a solar outburst which got spotted by Richard Carrington, an astronomer from England. This happening was renowned as the Carrington Event and it was a crucial moment in the study of solar astronomy, as well as the sun's ability to have an impact on our planet. And it was a singular event, as nothing of its kind has occurred ever since, and we should count ourselves fortunate that it hasn't happened again.

In case a solar event similar to what happened in Carrington happens nowadays, the potential outcome on modern infrastructure could cause massive destruction, particularly on the electronic system that we rely upon. If you believe that this is far-fetched or too futuristic, I recommend that you take a look at the report released by the National Academies of Science in 2008.

Not long ago, there was a highly intense occurrence of space weather from the sun on March 12. Luckily for us, it took place on the opposite side of the sun compared to where Earth is located in the solar system.

Stay tuned with the newest updates on space exploration and astronomy by connecting with me on Twitter @SkyGuyinVA and regularly checking out my blog posts. If you have any queries or comments, do not hesitate to shoot me an email at [email protected].

Be sure to connect with WTOP on Facebook and keep up with WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to participate in discussions about this piece and additional articles.

Receive up-to-the-minute news and fresh headlines directly to your email address by registering on this page.

This website, which is copyrighted by WTOP, is not meant for individuals residing in the European Economic Area. All rights are reserved by WTOP until the year 2023.