The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a geomagnetic storm watch from October 4 to October 6, which could produce the northern lights. The storms are caused by two significant solar eruptions predicted to reach Earth this weekend.
It is one of several updates that NOAA has issued this week.
According to the Canadian Space Agency's (CSA) explanation, when The Sun emits electrons and protons into space, this is called a solar wind. The Earth's magnetic field forms an invisible shield that redirects the solar wind around our planet.
"As Earth's magnetic field protects us from the solar wind, the magnetic field lines are dragged and stretched. They snap back like an elastic band, launching charged particles toward Earth's surface along the magnetic field lines. Auroras occur when these charged particles launched along Earth's magnetic field collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere."
The collisions produce 'tiny flashes that fill the sky with colourful light.'
"This light works like a neon lamp or an old cathode ray tube television set. As billions of flashes occur in sequence, the auroras appear to move or "dance" in the sky."
The CSA also recommends that people who want to see the Northern Lights choose a location free of light pollution.
"The bright city lights that light up the sky make low-intensity auroras invisible."
Other tips include checking the aurora forecast to find out whether the northern lights will be visible in the sky near you and checking local weather forecasts.
"Clouds, precipitation and the full Moon make it difficult to see the aurora. Look around you, not only north: auroras may appear anywhere in the sky."
Airdrie's weather forecast predicts a partly cloudy sky tonight, though it is expected to clear this evening. On Saturday night, the sky is expected to be clear.
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