愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Look up: Northern lights could be visible across Canada this week

Share

The northern lights could be visible across most of Canada this week.

A forecast from the U.S. (NOAA) shows the dazzling display is expected to reach well below the 49th parallel, creating a high likelihood of aurora activity directly overhead throughout much of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and the territories. Northern parts of Ontario, Atlantic Canada and the U.S. are also expected to see the lights.

The forecast indicated visibility on Thursday, but further shows are possible through the weekend, some predict.

With clear and dark conditions, and an unobstructed view of the northern horizon, aurorae could also be visible further afield in places like southwestern Ontario and Nova Scotia. According to the NOAA, nearly all of Canada lies within tonight's "view line."

Increased solar activity this week has already led to colourful displays across the country, including in , , and .

The NOAA classifies the event as four of five geomagnetic storms that could have "severe" impacts on power grids, spacecraft operations and satellite navigation systems.

The powerful solar storm reached Earth at 11:17 a.m. EDT Thursday.

"(The) display will be visible from all of Canada, but for population centres in and east of southern Ontario it will appear towards the northern horizon," Ethen Sun, astronomer at the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto, told CTVNews.ca in an email.

"This is quite rare and only in the years where solar activity is the highest does it happen for a few nights."

Sun says the different colours are due to coronal mass ejections from the sun colliding with different molecules in the atmosphere. A stronger geomagnetic storm causes more high-altitude collisions producing the normal green colours we see, as well as red and even blue aurorae.

"When blended together, just about every colour can be seen as the aurora dances around in the sky," Sun said.

He recommends anyone wanting to go somewhere with a clear view to the north and to avoid light pollution.

"Keep in mind that because of the high altitude of aurorae, you can be a few hundred kilometres away from the red area (in the NOAA forecast) and still see it," Sun said. "If you live in a downtown area and cannot avoid light pollution, you should be able to see it by taking a photo."

With files from CNN

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A father and his two children who suffered severe burns in a Springfield, Ont. house fire have undergone surgery.

Police have confirmed the body of an employee who died at a Walmart in Halifax over the weekend was found in a walk-in oven.

With the B.C. election too close to call, Dr. Bonnie Henry was asked Tuesday how she feels about the possibility of a party that has repeatedly called for her firing forming government.

Local Spotlight

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.

The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that 鈥 and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.

A Moncton, N.B., home has been donated to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation and will be transformed into a resource hub for people living with cancer.

A Nova Scotia man crossing Canada on foot is passing through southwestern Ontario. Trevor Redmond is perhaps better known as the 鈥楩ellow in Yellow.鈥