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PHOTOS: Northern Lights glow over DC region — and show might still go on Friday

The aurora over Aurora over Sumerduck, Virginia, Thursday night. (Courtesy Mark Burge)
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is seen Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Falmouth, Maine. (AP Photo/David Sharp)
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is seen Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Falmouth, Maine. (AP Photo/David Sharp)
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glows in the night sky above apartment buildings in the Queens borough of New York, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel P. Derella)
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glows in the night sky above apartment buildings in the Queens borough of New York, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel P. Derella)
Aurora visible from the Chain Bridge in the District. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
Aurora visible from the Chain Bridge in the District. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, shines over Portsmouth, N.H., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, shines over Portsmouth, N.H., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Aurora visible in Rockville, Maryland. (WTOP/Ren Zheng)
Aurora visible Thursday night in Sumerduck, Virginia. (Courtesy Mark Burge)
Aurora borealis, or northern lights, produced by a solar geomagnetic storm are seen over Washington, DC on October 10, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images/LUCIE AUBOURG)
A photographer takes pictures of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, produced by a solar geomagnetic storm as seen from Shenandoah National Park in Rileyville, Virginia, on October 10, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images/SAUL LOEB)
Aurora borealis, or northern lights, produced by a solar geomagnetic storm are seen over Washington, DC on October 10, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images/ISSAM AHMED)
Aurora borealis, or northern lights, produced by a solar geomagnetic storm are seen from Shenandoah National Park in Rileyville, Virginia, on October 10, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images/SAUL LOEB)
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An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is seen Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Falmouth, Maine. (AP Photo/David Sharp)
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glows in the night sky above apartment buildings in the Queens borough of New York, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel P. Derella)
Aurora visible from the Chain Bridge in the District. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, shines over Portsmouth, N.H., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)

Here we go again, and so soon!

Aurora finally lit up Virginia skies earlier this week, which was a bit later than had been predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Some incredible auroras shined across the D.C. region on Thursday and there may be even more to come on Friday night.

SWPC issued an alert Wednesday morning for a G4 (Severe) or greater event for Thursday and Friday. As stated in the alert:

“Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 45 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.

Induced Currents — Possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems may mistakenly trip out key assets from the power grid. Induced pipeline currents intensify.

Spacecraft — Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low earth orbit satellites, and tracking and orientation problems may occur.

Navigation — Satellite navigation (GPS) degraded or inoperable for hours.

Radio — HF (high frequency) radio propagation sporadic or blacked out.

Aurora — Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California.”

This Geomagnetic Storm Watch is in effect due to a large that occurred . The coronal mass ejection was caused by a that lasted for four hours!

This geomagnetic storm and associated aurora event forecast is not predicted to reach the historic levels of May 10 of this year. But, we should be watching the skies because if the forecast holds for G4 (Severe), and especially if G5 (Extreme) levels are reached, it could be quite the sight.

It will be well worth taking a look to the north from a dark sky site with a clear horizon at times when G4 levels — see forecast below — are reached. The higher the number, the better chances for aurora. This forecast can change.

The Space Weather Prediction Center’s Friday NOAA geomagnetic activity observation and forecast is below:

Oct. 11

11 p.m. (Oct. 10) to 2 a.m. — 8.00 (G4 Severe)

2 a.m. to dawn — 7.00 (G3)

Analysis of the CME associated with the X1.8 flare suggests further enhancement 10 Oct into 11 Oct, reaching G4 (Severe) levels is likely with G5 (Extreme) levels possible.

You might be able to visually detect some color in the sky if aurora are present, but they will likely be low on the northern horizon. Wide field binoculars can enhance your view if aurora are present.

Use a camera or smartphone that can take exposures of several seconds — including using “Night Sky” or “Low Light” settings if your camera has them — of the northern horizon. Steady the camera or use a tripod for best image results. The  your eyes did not.

Our best bet is to monitor WTOP’s weather page for sky conditions, , space-related social media sites, and for updates.

— I check this site every day just as I do my local weather — has a daily snapshot of what the space weather in the solar system is going to be like and a current image of the sun.

With our terrestrial weather being such a factor in our daily lives here in the D.C. area, and frankly, the rest of the world, we are also directly affected by , which can produce a variety of events, including Wednesday’s geomagnetic storm and aurora.

Space Weather, like our terrestrial weather, is caused by Earth’s interaction with our star, the sun. We know it will be there every new day and count on it for life-giving warmth and energy. We also have become accustomed to it being well behaved. What many people may not know is that our sun undergoes an that can affect space weather throughout our solar system.

is a 4.5-billion-year-old star that we have been monitoring since Galileo.

The sun had an episode of disturbed behavior in 1859 that, if it were to occur today, could adversely affect us if we were not prepared.

In 1859 on Sept. 1, the sun experienced a solar storm episode that was observed by solar astronomer Richard Carrington that ended up bearing his name — This was a watershed event in solar astronomy and also the sun’s effect on the Earth, as nothing like it has been seen since.

If a , the affect on modern society’s infrastructure could be potentially catastrophic, especially the electrical grid, which powers everything else. If you think this is unlikely, or too to be true, I suggest you read the report by the .

Last year, the sun had a very , which, fortunately for us, occurred on .

Follow Greg Redfern on , and his to keep up with the latest news in astronomy and space exploration.

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