Parts of Ontario could be treated to a rare celestial display this week as heightened solar activity sets the stage for the aurora borealis to make an appearance.
According to the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center, a combination of a coronal mass ejection (CME) and a coronal hole high-speed stream is expected to trigger geomagnetic storming from August 8 to 9. This storm could create conditions favorable for northern lights to be visible across Canada and as far south as New York State and Idaho.
A CME is a massive burst of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s atmosphere that propels electrically charged particles, or ions, into space. When these ions reach Earth, they interact with our planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere, creating vibrant auroral displays in the Northern Hemisphere.
If the storm’s magnetic orientation aligns just right—a critical factor for aurora visibility—the resulting light show could be visible from around 2 a.m. on Friday, August 8. However, space experts caution there’s an eight-hour margin of error, so skywatchers are advised to stay alert throughout the night.
For the best chance to catch the lights, find a dark, clear location away from city lights. Weather permitting, Ontarians could witness a natural spectacle powered by the sun.