We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Elissa Zellmer captured this photo of the celestial spectacle west of Hogeland at approximately 8:05 on Friday night.
One of the most impressive displays of the Northern Lights observed in the past 20 years occurred on October 11 across Montana's Hi-Line. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the aurora borealis spectacle that dazzled many who were fortunate enough to step outside that night was due to a severe geomagnetic storm.
NOAA's webpage issued a "SEVERE Geomagnetic Storm ALERT" on October 10, sharing information about the storm's having strengthened and reached G4 conditions. The alert went on to define a severe geomagnetic storm as "a major disturbance in Earth's magnetic field" and to warn the general public of potential technology effects such as "possible increased and more frequent voltage control problems and increased possibility of anomalies or effects to satellite operations."
A G4 storm is caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is a powerful burst of magnetized plasma from the sun's corona. "The impact of a CME on Earth is similar to an approaching cold front, with an initial shock followed by a gradual settling of the magnetic cloud," explains NOAA officials.
Leading up to the light show on Earth, a severe geomagnetic storm alert was issued after an outburst from the sun was detected on October 9. Such a storm increases the chance of aurora borealis visibility.
"The Earth's magnetic field shields us from much of it, but particles can travel down the magnetic field lines along the north and south poles and into Earth's atmosphere, causing the gasses in our atmosphere to illuminate," NOAA officials stated.
On October 11, the NOAA-20 and NOAA-21 satellites, part of NOAA's Joint Polar Satellite System Program, each witnessed a different experience as the aurora fluctuated in intensity throughout the night.
Some people in the area reported having difficulty in receiving television broadcast signals. According to NOAA officials, disruption in power and radio signals is not uncommon during such solar flaring.
Several who observed the phenomenon described the aurora as "being inside a dome surrounded by vibrant colors."
