Intense aurora borealis will be visible in 18 U.S. states over the Labor Day holiday. (Image: Alexander Manzyuk/Anadolu via Getty Images)
A “cannibalistic” solar storm is approaching the Earth's magnetosphere, which will trigger bright atmospheric auroras that could be visible in 18 US states just in time for the holiday.
On Saturday (August 30), sunspot AR4204, located near the star’s equator, produced a prolonged M-class flare, the second-most intense type of eruption characteristic of our star. The M2.7 event lasted for more than three hours and ejected a fast-moving cloud of charged plasma known as a coronal mass ejection (CME). Data from NASA’s SOHO observatory confirmed its trajectory toward Earth, Spaceweather.com reports.
Subsequent analysis within 24 hours of the event revealed two separate CMEs released in succession during the flare, space weather specialist Tabitha Skov noted on social media platform X. The larger plasma formation overtook and engulfed the initial burst, forming a large, disordered structure — a so-called “cannibal” CME — that will reach Earth’s magnetosphere on September 1.
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Solar activity on Friday the 13th could result in auroral events in 18 states this weekend.
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Atmospheric glows are expected in 18 regions of the United States as a solar disturbance approaches.
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A solar coronal hole could be the source of powerful auroral displays visible from 15 states tonight.
The confluence of solar disturbances will temporarily weaken the planet's magnetosphere, allowing charged particles to penetrate the atmosphere and ionize gas molecules, creating the northern lights effect.
According to NOAA's latest forecast, the geomagnetic storm is expected to reach G2 (moderate) intensity, with possible intensification to G3 (strong) at its peak.
Experts quickly identified two CMEs that merged while moving toward Earth.
The airglows will be unusually far south, covering 18 states. The list includes Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, South Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, New York, Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois, according to Space.com.
The best visibility is expected early in the morning of September 2 in areas with minimal light pollution. Even without visual observation, the phenomenon can be recorded photographically.
Cannibalistic solar storms are rare, but similar events were recorded in December 2023 and August of the previous year.
The solar flare on August 30 triggered successive coronal mass ejections.
Over the past year and a half, significant geomagnetic disturbances have been recorded, including an extreme G5 storm in May 2024 that caused global auroral manifestations, GPS failures, and the formation of a new radiation belt. The economic damage from this event exceeded $500 million.
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Experts expect the current maximum to end, but at the end of August a renewed surge in activity was recorded, including a giant plasma vortex on the surface of the star.
High solar activity is predicted for the coming months due to instability of the solar magnetic field.
TOPICS solar maximum
Harry BakerSocial Media
Harry is a senior science journalist at Live Science (UK). He holds a degree in marine biology from the University of Exeter. He covers space exploration, climate change and palaeontology. He is a 2024 Aerospace Media Award winner and a 2023 NCTJ Awards finalist. He writes the weekly Earth from Space column.
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Solar activity on Friday the 13th could result in auroral events in 18 states this weekend.
Atmospheric glows are expected in 18 regions of the United States as a solar disturbance approaches.
A solar coronal hole could be the source of powerful auroral displays visible from 15 states tonight.
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1. Solar storm Cannibal could cause auroras over 18 U.S. states this Labor Day.
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