Northern Lights (Auroras) possibility this week

According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, located in Northern Colorado, a solar flare (Coronal Mass Ejections - CME), produced by sunspot Region 3697 earlier in the period will likely enhance the Earth's magnetic field this weekend.

A CME is an eruption of solar material from a sunspot region on the sun. When material arrives at the Earth, a geomagnetic storm can result. This weekend's event, produced by 3697, is predicted to occur between May 31 and June 1. The effect of this solar storm may become visible over some northern and upper Midwest states from New York to Idaho.

May 31, 2024 Aurora viewline forecast.Photo byNOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

Sunspot Region 3697

The sunspot region that created this solar storm is Region 3697. This is the same region that created the large geomagnetic storm on May 14, that produced the largest solar flare detected since September 2017. This active region has just reappeared on the eastern edge of the sun. See photo below.

The sunspot region came into view on May 27 and produced an X2.9 solar flare. This shows scientists that the region is still capable of producing a noteworthy solar event. For this sunspot region to create an event like Coloradoan saw on May 14, it would need to erupt from the slight right of the sun's center. Region 3697 will reach this location around June 4-6. Eruptions in this location will have the best odds of producing a geomagnetic storm and enhanced aurora display here on Earth.

Sunspot Region 3697Photo byNASA SDO. Edited by Colorado Martini

For Colorado to experience a similar storm to May 14, the conditions need to be just right. One solar flare needs to produce a dense and fast eruption. Along with being positioned and oriented to the Earth just right. Needless to say, scientists will keep a close eye on this region in the coming days.

Did you see the event on May 14? Let us know in the comments what you saw.

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