愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Solar storm to trigger northern lights show that could be seen across much of Canada

The largest solar storm in five years sent a huge wave of radiation into earth's atmosphere creating a brilliant show of the aurora borealis near Yellowknife, N.W.T. on Thursday March 8, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden The largest solar storm in five years sent a huge wave of radiation into earth's atmosphere creating a brilliant show of the aurora borealis near Yellowknife, N.W.T. on Thursday March 8, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden
Share

Heightened activity of the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, is expected to create a spectacle in the sky on Friday night; one that can potentially be seen across much of Canada.

According to , , which are clouds of solar materials, erupted from the sun overnight Tuesday, creating a coronal mass ejection, or solar storm. On Friday, the forecasted a level G1, minor geomagnetic storm, however it may increase to a level G2 moderate storm; pushing it further away from the North, giving Southern Canada a chance to catch the show.

A forecast from the says high activity can be seen in the Territories, Edmonton, Alta., Winnipeg. Man., Thunder Bay, Ont., and Sept-Illes, Que. While visible low activity could reach on the horizon from Halifax, N.S., and some U.S. cities like Chicago.

Some parts of Canada have already soaked in the display of lights as the Aurora Borealis made its presence known earlier this week in southern Manitoba.

is also showing some unsettled intervals of geomagnetic activity for the next 24 hours across the Auroral and Polar regions of the country.

The best way to catch the light show tonight is to seek a location free of light pollution, the . The agency also recommends checking out frequent updates from Space Weather Canada for when the aurora borealis is likely to show the most activity.

This phenomenon can occur in any section of the sky so it's key to look up everywhere, and not just in a single area, to not miss a single display of colour.  

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.

A memorial is growing outside a Walmart in Halifax after a 19-year-old employee was found dead inside an oven in the store Saturday night.

A search has started at Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two victims of a serial killer.

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

Canada's discount airline is suspending operations to and from Saskatoon.

A new report suggests that Canadians' exposure to a radioactive gas is increasing, putting millions of people at a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

Local Spotlight

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

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.