Massive solar storm is hitting Earth today: Will India witness auroras?

A powerful storm is making its way towards the Earth. The intense activity has dramatically boosted the chances of stunning aurora displays across some northern Indian regions and parts of Europe, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa).

The US-based Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a geomagnetic storm watch for today (June 8) and tomorrow (June 9) following a coronal mass ejection (CME) erupting from the Sun and heading toward Earth.

According to several scientists, the incoming solar storm could produce a more intense effect than several recent solar events recorded earlier this week.

With Nasa already on alert, aurora photographers around the world are also setting their alarms to capture stunning displays.

We take a look.

What is a Coronal Mass Ejection?

It is considered a massive eruption of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun. When such material moves toward Earth, it can interact with Earth’s magnetic field and lead to geomagnetic storms. Now, this action is responsible for producing auroras, also known as Northern Lights.

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Auroras are curtains of green, purple, and red light that form wave-like patterns or glowing effects across the night sky as charged solar particles slam into gases in Earth's upper atmosphere, India Today reported.

According to space weather experts, the recent eruption emerged from active solar region 4461. Observations indicate that it contained a dense core filament, a structure rich in plasma and strong magnetic fields. Such features can intensify a solar storm as it approaches Earth.

The Space Weather Prediction Center asserted that the CME is expected to arrive during the June 8-9 period and may result in increased geomagnetic activity.

The intensity of the storm will depend on how its magnetic field interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, potentially leading to strong geomagnetic levels, as reported by Times Now.

Is India likely to witness auroras today?

This is the only question on every Indian stargazer’s mind right now.

Experts note that the northern parts of India may have a chance of witnessing the stunning auroral activity under favourable conditions. However, they argue that visibility will depend on storm strength, cloud cover and low-light pollution.

Auroras, popularly known as the northern lights, are curtains of green, purple, and red light that ripple across the night sky. Image courtesy: X

While in Europe, auroras could be visible much farther south than usual if the storm intensifies, experts say.

Besides colourful displays in the night sky, geomagnetic storms may create minor disruptions to satellite operations, radio communications, navigation systems and power infrastructure.

However, forecasters have indicated that any effects from this event are likely to remain limited and manageable.

Space weather agencies are on standby as they continue to closely monitor the storm's progress. They may also provide updates from time to time as the CME moves toward Earth.

Like agencies, aurora photographers and skywatchers in the UK, northern US, and Canada are on high alert as they closely track the developing event. Many hope that this solar storm will result in one of the most vivid auroral displays of the year.

In which areas can aurora be spotted? 

This rare celestial event has occasionally been spotted in India during powerful geomagnetic storms. High-altitude, low-light-pollution areas like Ladakh offer the best chance.

While extremely rare, faint Northern Lights have occasionally been spotted in India during powerful geomagnetic storms. Image courtesy: X

In Ladakh, the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, Pangong Tso, and Nubra Valley are among the best locations where charged solar particles could produce subtle green and purple glows in the night sky. Ladakh (particularly Hanle and Pangong Lake), and Nubra Valley, News18 reported.

Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, and Drass in Kargil are India’s top spots. October to March offers the clearest skies. However, never as bright as in Iceland, strong solar activity like this week’s flares can bring faint auroral displays to these Himalayan wonders.

With inputs from agencies