Geomagnetic storm hitting Earth TODAY may let Americans see Northern Lights – but could affect power grids and radios

A GEOMAGNETIC storm hitting Earth today could offer Americans the chance to see the Northern Lights.

It is unlikely the wild conditions will cause us any real problems but it may also affect power grids and radios, Space.com reports.

Getty – ContributorA geomagnetic storm hitting Earth today may let Americans see Northern Lights[/caption]

RexGeomagnetic storms are triggered when the Sun spews out charged particles that interact with Earth’s magnetic field[/caption]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) say the lights may seen as far south as Idaho and New York.

Grids and radios at high latitudes are most at risk, according to reports.

They said in a statement: “A G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for 14 March (UTC day) and a G1 (Minor) watch is out for 15 March due to possible effects from the arrival of a series of coronal mass ejections from 10 March.”

In February Elon Musk lost 40 Starlink satellites after a geomagnetic storm rattled Earth.

Geomagnetic storms are triggered when the Sun spews out charged particles that interact with Earth’s magnetic field.

They can disrupt satellites and in extreme cases mess with GPS systems and even shut down power grids.

The Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, happen because of electrically charged particles from the sun, smashing into gaseous particles in our planet’s atmosphere.

This solar flare is often joined by a coronal mass ejection – which is a huge expulsion of plasma from the sun’s outer layer.

The massive burst of material from the sun prompts a geomagnetic storm, which brings the aurora to lower latitudes.

The solar storms cause bright, colourful dancing lights in white, green, pink and purple that illuminate the sky and are considered an incredible sight. 

Colour variations occur when different types of gas particles collide with the charged particles.

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