Topline
The northern lights could be visible once again from some northern states Sunday night and again in the coming days, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as the effects of coronal mass ejections arrive and interact with the Earth in the next few days.
Key Facts
Forecasters at NOAA predicted a Kp index of five out of nine for Sunday night, meaning the northern lights could appear further south, with increased brightness and activity, including “motion and formation.”
The Earth could also see the effects of minor geomagnetic storms caused by the arrival of coronal mass ejections, NOAA said in its most recent three-day space weather forecast.
What Are Coronal Mass Ejections?
Coronal mass ejections are eruptions of plasma and magnetic field that escape from the sun’s corona, or outermost layer of atmosphere, according to NOAA. These ejections are typically much more powerful than ordinary background solar winds, and often occur alongside solar flares. When these ejections interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, they can cause geomagnetic storms, which can cause the northern lights to be visible further south than usual, including in the lower 48 states.
