Geomagnetic storm could make aurora visible from Arizona

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — For the fist time since 2005, a Geomagnetic Storm Watch has been issued by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.

This watch has been issued because something called a coronal mass ejection (CME) was released from the sun earlier this week. So how does this cause a geomagnetic storm?

Arizona’s Family spoke with Katrina Bossert, assistant professor in the Arizona State University School of Earth and Space Exploration, who said the CME causes the “Earth’s magnetic field to be displaced” and that you can “end up with these magnetic field lines causing material to be thrown towards the earth’s atmosphere.”

Views of the aurora borealis are possible Friday night and may continue for the next several nights as well. While the best views will be at northern latitudes, Bossert said Arizona may be treated to a light-show as well.

“If you look to the north, you may be able to see some red aurora on the horizon,” she said. “If it’s really strong, you may be able to see some green aurora on the horizon.”

She also suggests being in a dark area for the best possible chance of a good view.

While geomagnetic storms have been known to affect the Earth’s power grid, Bossert said that’s more likely to happen more in northern latitudes. Even though this type of impact is unlikely in Arizona, “it is still something to look out for,” Bossert said.

To follow along with the geomagnetic storm updates, go to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction website.

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