Solar Storm Could Bring Northern Lights To Many States This Week
(CBS SF) -- A solar storm is slamming into Earth with the possibility of extending bright auroras into large parts of the northern United States.
According to NOAA, minor geomagnetic storm conditions are currently present in response to fast solar wind speeds and a coronal hole, but it could grow stronger.
Coronal holes come from the sun and push a steady stream of geomagnetic activity toward the Earth. When it comes into contact with solar winds, it energizes the Earth's outer atmosphere and creates vibrant auroras that paint the night sky neon green and pink.
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Rocky Raybell photographed the auroras from Keller, Washington early Tuesday morning with this neat twist: a Taurid fireball from a meteor shower cutting across the sky.
"The auroras were not as strong as I expected," he told Spaceweather.com, "but the fireball made up for any shortcomings."
Auroras were spotted in Michigan, Wisconsin and even dipped as low as Ohio Monday night.
More auroras are likely Tuesday night as solar winds associated with the coronal hole continue to blow.
Nicole Jones is a digital producer for CBS San Francisco.
