A powerful solar flare, expected to hit Earth on Christmas Day, may bring spectacular aurora displays to high-latitude areas in the US, including Montana, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The M8.9 flare, which has already caused minor radio blackouts over Africa and Madagascar, is part of a period of increased turbulence on the sun.
The flare’s charged particles will collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating stunning displays of light in the polar skies. NOAA forecasts minimal disruptions to power grids but expects auroras in multiple northern US states.
This Christmas Day display comes as NASA’s Parker Solar Probe reached its closest-ever approach to the sun, providing scientists with a rare opportunity for close-up data on solar activity. However, the spacecraft is currently offline until it returns online in the new year.
The solar flare marks the beginning of an 11-year natural cycle of increased solar activity, with over a dozen sunspot regions currently active on the sun’s surface.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/the-sun/auroras-could-light-up-the-skies-on-christmas-thanks-to-a-powerful-solar-flare-heading-toward-earth