A rare double solar eruption is expected to unleash two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) towards Earth on April 16, potentially sparking G2 geomagnetic storms and visible auroras in northern U.S. states.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic storm watch for April 16 due to the CMEs’ impact. These dense clouds of charged solar particles can rattle Earth’s magnetic field, triggering geomagnetic storms that may lead to impressive aurora displays beyond their usual high-latitude range.
According to Tamitha Skov, a space weather physicist, “These #solarstorms will likely travel slowly, but they are dense and thus could pack a decent punch!” The CMEs’ impact timing is uncertain, with predictions suggesting an increase in geomagnetic activity late on April 15 or early April 16.
To prepare for the aurora display, it’s essential to stay flexible and monitor space weather data. Check the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) value, particularly the Bz value, which indicates the north-south direction of the IMF. The perfect alignment is necessary for spectacular northern lights displays.
Source: https://www.space.com/rare-double-solar-blast-incoming-cmes-aurora-alert