Major Geomagnetic Activity”: Why Have the Northern Lights Been So Spectacular in Ontario Recently? Will We See More Soon?**
Ontario has recently experienced stunning displays of the northern lights, captivating skywatchers throughout the province.
A powerful geomagnetic storm sparked Thursday night’s impressive show, which was captured on camera by many across the region. According to Space Weather Canada, a major geomagnetic storm watch was issued from Thursday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. to Saturday, Oct. 12 at noon.
The excitement began with a coronal mass ejection (CME) observed on Wednesday, which sent material from the sun toward Earth. This interaction led to “major geomagnetic activity.”
### What Causes the Northern Lights?
The northern lights are produced when solar particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere after being ejected during solar explosions. This interaction creates the stunning colors that light up the sky.
NASA explains, “When a solar storm approaches, some energy and small particles travel down the magnetic field lines at the poles into Earth’s atmosphere. There, they interact with atmospheric gases, resulting in beautiful light displays. Oxygen produces green and red hues.”
### Why Are We Seeing Such Remarkable Northern Lights Recently?
Rupinder Brar, program director of physics at Ontario Tech University, notes that the sun is currently in a more active phase of its cycle.
“The sun has periods of activity and inactivity,” he states. “This is linked to the sun’s magnetic field. Every 11 years or so, when these fields become entangled, we experience increased solar activity.”
