The Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, could make another appearance due to a powerful geomagnetic storm set to impact Earth this weekend.
The storm is the result of a massive solar flare that erupted from sunspot 3842 on Thursday, 3 October at 14:18. Measuring X9.05, this is the strongest Earth-facing flare recorded by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in seven years.
Solar flares are classified in categories, with X being the most intense.
The flare already affected high frequency radio communications and caused a total radio blackout across Africa, which lasted for up to 20 minutes on Thursday. SANSA has been tracking sunspot 3842 since it became visible on the Sun’s surface on 29 September.
This sunspot is approximately 1.5 times larger than the Earth’s surface and has produced several significant solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These waves of charged particles are expected to reach Earth over the weekend, causing geomagnetic storms.
Main impact to be felt on Saturday
While a minor geomagnetic storm is expected on Friday, the more powerful CME associated with the X9 flare is expected to impact Earth on Saturday. Storm conditions could range from minor (G1) to strong (G3), and potentially severe (G4), throughout the day.
South Africans were last treated to the Southern Lights on 10 May during the “Mother’s Day Storm,” when a G5/Extreme storm produced breathtaking red auroras.
Dr. Mpho Tshisaphungo, Head of Space Weather at SANSA, says that if this latest CME reaches Earth between Friday night and the early hours of Saturday, there is a small chance of witnessing the aurora again. However, visibility will depend on the strength of the geomagnetic storm and clear nighttime skies.
Beyond the potential light show, geomagnetic storms can disrupt communication and navigation systems, as well as power grids.
“Industries using these systems should take note of possible disruptions over the weekend,” SANSA said.
As the storm unfolds, hopeful aurora-gazers should keep an eye on the skies for another glimpse of the Southern Lights, but prepare for the possibility that this rare event may remain elusive.
Did you see the Southern Lights earlier this year?
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