Some of the U.S. could see the northern lights due to a geomagnetic storm
A powerful geomagnetic storm in the forecast for Sunday night could make the colorful northern lights visible across parts of the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
The aurora could appear over much of the northern half of the contiguous U.S., even as far south as northern California and Alabama, the center said.
Space weather officials detected a solar flare associated with this geomagnetic storm on Friday, and National Weather Service offices from Rapid City, S.D., to Spokane, Wash., have posted photos of the telltale green and purple streaks in the sky captured earlier Sunday.
The geomagnetic storm, which is expected to last through late Monday, is being spurred on by an ongoing coronal mass ejection, which occurs when the sun spews large amounts of plasma and magnetic field out into space.
That disturbance in the solar wind can rattle Earth’s magnetosphere and cause problems on our planet. Federal officials say a G3 (strong) or G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm is possible, weather that could disrupt power systems, impede satellite operations and hamper radio communications.
The Space Weather Prediction Center said that even though the coronal mass ejection is weakening, elevated solar wind conditions could still produce a significant cosmic event.
The northern lights, which are caused by solar wind hitting Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, are typically best viewed in a dark setting late at night or early in the morning.
Federal judge acknowledges ‘abusive workplace’ in court order
The order did not identify the judge in question but two sources familiar with the process told NPR it is U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby, a Biden appointee.
Top 5 takeaways from the House immigration oversight hearing
The hearing underscored how deeply divided Republicans and Democrats remain on top-level changes to immigration enforcement in the wake of the shootings of two U.S. citizens.
Snowboarder Chloe Kim is chasing an Olympic gold three-peat with a torn labrum
At 25, Chloe Kim could become the first halfpipe snowboarder to win three consecutive Olympic golds.
Pakistan-Afghanistan border closures paralyze trade along a key route
Trucks have been stuck at the closed border since October. Both countries are facing economic losses with no end in sight. The Taliban also banned all Pakistani pharmaceutical imports to Afghanistan.
Malinowski concedes to Mejia in Democratic House special primary in New Jersey
With the race still too close to call, former congressman Tom Malinowski conceded to challenger Analilia Mejia in a Democratic primary to replace the seat vacated by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
A daughter reexamines her own family story in ‘The Mixed Marriage Project’
Dorothy Roberts' parents, a white anthropologist and a Black woman from Jamaica, spent years interviewing interracial couples in Chicago. Her memoir draws from their records.
