Powerful Geomagnetic Storm Triggers Visible Aurora Borealis in Southern U.S., Europe, and Australia

Rare event offers stunning visuals of Northern Lights reaching as far south as Texas, with the celestial spectacle continuing throughout the week. Experts predict potential for more intense displays due to increasing sunspot activity.

The geomagnetic storm, caused by Coronal Mass Ejections (solar flares) on the surface of the sun, allowed individuals in relatively southern locations to observe the Northern Lights, a phenomenon commonly limited to northern latitudes.
Following the storm, Auroras were reported as far south as Texas in the U.S., as well as in Europe and Australia, and they might continue throughout the week due to the expectation of high sunspot activity.
Thanksgiving weekend and the years 2024 and 2025 are also predicted to offer significant viewings of the Northern Lights due to the anticipated peak in sunspot activity, which occurs every 11 years.
While the auroras pose no immediate threat, the potential devastation from a large solar flare hitting the earth should not be undermined, as it could cause a global shutdown of electrical systems and communications.
During this period, an Aurora-like phenomenon called STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), which appears as a long, slender, purple-and-white arc at lower latitudes than most Auroras, was also observed.