Northern Lights Expected Over Canada Thursday Night
The Aurora Borealis may light up the sky above Canada tonight, driven by intense space weather from a highly active region of the Sun.
Recent Solar Activity
In recent weeks, astronomers and space weather enthusiasts have observed an impressive series of solar eruptions. These events, called coronal mass ejections (solar storms), mostly occurred either on the Sun’s far side or were directed away from Earth. All originated from a single sunspot group known as Active Region 4274, which has recently rotated into view along the Sun's eastern limb.
Key Solar Observations
The SUVI instrument on NOAA's GOES-19 weather satellite captured an image showing several bright active regions on the Sun, dated early November. Near the image's center, a subtle dark area marks a large coronal hole.
- Four inset images from the NASA/ESA SOHO spacecraft's LASCO C3 coronagraph show four significant coronal mass ejections linked to AR 4274, labeled in yellow.
"On the morning of November 4, a powerful solar flare exploded from AR 4274. Measured as an X1.8-class flare, it is the strongest we've seen from the Sun since the X1.9 flare on June 19. It also ranks as the fifth strongest flare of 2025, so far."
Summary
These solar events are setting the stage for remarkable space weather, increasing the chances of spectacular northern lights displays across Canada.
Author's summary: Active Region 4274's powerful solar flares and coronal mass ejections create favorable conditions for vibrant auroras over Canada this Thursday night.