‘Best chance’ to see northern lights as holes in Earth’s magnetic field tear open – just follow the ’11 year’ rule
EXTRA northern lights could be visible this month due to holes in Earth's magnetic field.
That's according to scientists who claim the Sun is at its most active peak.
We know the Sun follows an 11-year solar cycle, which is controlled by its magnetic field.
It's driven by the poles on the Sun swapping places around every 11 years.
The Sun is said to have reached the stage in this cycle in which increased solar activity can result in more northern lights sightings.
Eruptions and flares from the solar surface have been observed growing more intense and extreme.
WHAT ARE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, occur when the Earth's magnetosphere is getting bombarded by solar wind.
It's the solar wind interacting with Earth's magnetic field that creates the pretty green and blue displays.
Charged particles from the Sun strike atoms in Earth's atmosphere and give them a higher-energy state.
When the atoms drop back to their lower energy state, light is released.
HOW BEST TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
A Nasa of 75 years of data revealed that March is often best month to see the northern lights.
With the Sun in its high solar activity stage, this month could be your best chance to see the best northern lights for another decade.
To see the natural phenomenon at its best, visiting a country in the Arctic Circle is ideal.
However, sometimes the lights are so strong you can see them as far as Florida.
It's best to check space weather forecasts for your area.
You can take a look at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website.
Go to an area away from light pollution when it's dark and be patient as the northern lights can take time to appear.
Bear in mind the northern lights might look faint with your eyes but bright via a camera due to a higher aperture setting.
Auroras – how do they work?
Here's the official explanation from Nasa...
- The dancing lights of the auroras provide spectacular views on the ground, but also capture the imagination of scientists who study incoming energy and particles from the sun
- Auroras are one effect of such energetic particles, which can speed out from the sun both in a steady stream called the solar wind and due to giant eruptions known as coronal mass ejections or CMEs
- After a trip toward Earth that can last two to three days, the solar particles and magnetic fields cause the release of particles already trapped near Earth, which in turn trigger reactions in the upper atmosphere in which oxygen and nitrogen molecules release photons of light
- The result: the Northern and Southern lights.