People in the United States are in for a celestial treat as the northern lights are expected to dazzle in the skies as far as New York. A geomagnetic storm triggered by a coronal mass ejection (CME) has triggered an aurora alert.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted a G1-class storm on Thursday night, although G2 conditions are also on the cards, which means the auroras will spread farther than normal.

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The sun ejected a plume of plasma on March 1, sending charged particles in the direction of Earth. Auroras, or Northern Lights, happen when these particles come in contact with the planet's magnetosphere.

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These colourful lights are normally only visible in the polar regions, but the latest solar storm can cover a wider region.

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NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center had sent out an aurora alert for G1 northern lights for March 4, 5 and 6, meaning a minor one. It is projected that the Kp index will reach a high of 3 over the next 24 hours, starting on the evening of March 5. So people in America can expect to watch the northern lights on the night of March 6.

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The auroras will subside on March 7 and 8. However, NOAA has predicted another minor G1 level activity for March 9.

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The agency has also predicted radio blackouts through March 9. "There is a chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate), with a slight chance for R3 (Strong) or greater," it stated.

Geomagnetic storms can hamper satellite communications, GPS signals, and power grids. This normally happens when storms escalate to a level G2.

Auroras in 2025

Solar activity in 2025 is expected to increase since our star is approaching solar maximum, the peak of its 11-year cycle. More solar flares, CMEs, and geomagnetic storms can be expected in the coming months, heightening the prospects of more intense northern lights. A G2 storm will point to more frequent auroral events in the year 2025.