Where Can I See the Aurora?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the northern lights (aurora borealis) could be visible farther south than usual in these locations:
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North America: Canada and the northern US in states including Idaho, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Maine.
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Europe: Scandinavia and the northern parts of the UK.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the southern lights (aurora australis) could be visible further north than usual in these locations:
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Chile and Argentina: Southern parts of the countries.
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Australia and New Zealand: Tasmania and the southern parts of New Zealand.
Earth-Directed CME
On August 30, 2025, the Sun launched a full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) following an M2.7-class solar flare. The CME is Earth-directed and expected to arrive around September 1–2, 2025.
A full-halo CME is a type of coronal mass ejection that appears, in coronagraph images, as if it surrounds the Sun in a complete 360° “halo.”
“Cannibal Solar Storm”
Some reports have referred to this event as a “cannibal solar storm” because a second, faster coronal mass ejection may have overtaken an earlier one, merging into a larger, more energetic CME.
This interaction can intensify geomagnetic storms and enhance auroral displays, and is sometimes referred to as a “cannibal CME”.
Because the CME is Earth-facing, it will interact with Earth’s magnetic field, likely triggering a geomagnetic storm. This type of space weather event often causes vibrant auroras that can be seen much farther from the usual auroral zones.
What are the northern and southern lights?Strong Geomagnetic Storm Expected
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued G2–G3 (moderate to strong) geomagnetic storm watches for September 1 and 2.
According to SWPC, if the CME’s magnetic field lines align with Earth’s in just the right way, the storm could quickly strengthen and even reach G4 levels.
For fans of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, now may be a great time to look up at the night sky. Meanwhile, skywatchers in the Southern Hemisphere might get a rare glimpse of the aurora australis, or southern lights.
Why Auroras Happen
When particles from the Sun reach Earth, they interact with gases in our atmosphere, like oxygen and nitrogen. This creates glowing curtains of light called auroras, usually green, but sometimes red, purple, or even blue, depending on the gases and the energy involved.
We’re currently in a period known as solar maximum, the most active phase in the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle, marked by increased sunspots and frequent solar eruptions. That means that, during solar maximum, solar flares and CMEs are more likely, making beautiful auroras more likely too.
What Are Coronal Mass Ejections?
Coronal mass ejections are massive bubbles of hot plasma and magnetic fields ejected from the Sun into space.
CMEs often occur alongside solar flares, which are bursts of energy from the Sun, but unlike flares, CMEs involve the physical expulsion of plasma and magnetic fields. When Earth-directed, these solar storms can interact with our planet’s magnetic field, producing auroras and geomagnetic storms.
We can usually see the effects of a CME on Earth within a couple of days.
What Are the Different Types of Flares?
Not all solar flares are created equal—scientists group them into different categories based on their strength:
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A-class and B-class flares are very small. They don’t have much impact on Earth.
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C-class flares are a little stronger. They usually cause minor effects, if any.
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M-class flares are medium-sized. These can sometimes cause radio blackouts near Earth’s poles and create brighter auroras if linked to a CME.
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X-class flares are the biggest and most powerful and can lead to widespread radio blackouts. If accompanied by a CME, they can also produce strong geomagnetic storms and spectacular auroras even far from the poles.
NASA explains that solar flare classes work “much like the Richter scale for earthquakes,” where each higher class is 10 times more energetic than the one before. So, an X-class flare is 10 times stronger than an M-class flare and 100 times stronger than a C-class flare.
Each class also has a scale, from 1 to 9—the higher the number, the stronger the flare, though X-class flares have no upper limit.
Solar Cycle 25: More Storms Ahead?
The current Solar Cycle 25 is well underway. With increased sunspot numbers, solar flares, and CME activity, this phase—known as solar maximum—increases the likelihood of geomagnetic storms and auroras.
NOAA and NASA confirm that the current solar cycle has been more active than initially forecast, prompting an updated prediction that it will peak earlier and at a higher intensity.
While recent data suggests that solar activity may have already peaked, scientists note that auroral activity often remains strong for several years after solar maximum—meaning some of the most spectacular northern and southern lights may still lie ahead.