A strong solar storm is expected to hit Earth on June 8, raising excitement among astronomers and skywatchers who are hoping for rare aurora sightings.
The storm is caused by a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from the Sun, which has sent charged particles towards Earth. These particles can interact with Earth’s magnetic field and create beautiful light displays known as auroras or Northern Lights.
NOAA Issues G3 Solar Storm Alert
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a G3 (Strong) geomagnetic storm watch.
According to NOAA, the storm is expected to:
- Start on June 7 (low activity)
- Peak on June 8 (G3 strong storm)
- Reduce on June 9 (G2 moderate level)
Experts say the storm may create bright auroras, especially in high-latitude regions near the poles.
What Are Auroras?
Auroras are colourful natural lights seen in the night sky when solar particles collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. They usually appear in countries near the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Will India See Northern Lights Again?
The big question is whether India will witness the Northern Lights this time.
According to experts, the chances are very low. The current G3 storm is weaker compared to the extreme G5 solar storm in May 2024, which allowed rare auroras to be seen in Ladakh (Leh and Hanle).
Back in 2024, red auroras surprised scientists and were captured by observatories in Ladakh, making it one of the rarest sky events in India.
Why India Is Unlikely to See It
Although solar activity is strong, India is too far from the polar region. Only extremely powerful storms can push auroras as far south as India.
Scientists say only high-latitude regions are likely to see clear aurora activity during this event.
Skywatchers Still Excited
Even though the chances are low, astronomers in India will continue monitoring the sky closely in case of unexpected strong solar activity.