A powerful geomagnetic storm will hit Earth on New Year's Eve. (Photo : Pixabay)
On Wednesday night and New Year's Eve, the sky will light up with a dazzling display of fireworks brought about by an aurora borealis.
The Northern Hemisphere is predicted to experience a geomagnetic storm on Wednesday according to the Space Weather Prediction Center, where this will be a G3, a strong solar storm that is followed by a minor G1 storm on New Year's Eve.
On Monday, a massive eruption from the sun releasing charged plasma and gas, also known as a coronal mass ejection, was linked with a M1 class solar flare. Each solar flare is classified by its power, where an X class flare is the most powerful one, which is followed by M and C class flares respectively.
During powerful solar storms, the Earth's magnetic field can significantly affect power grids, GPS and communication systems including radio blackouts from these strong aurora borealis. A category G3 geomagnetic storm may affect satellites and low frequency radio navigation, where these Northern Lights can be seen as far as Oregon and Illinois.
This G3 storm is predicted to hit the planet on Wednesday morning, some time around 7 A.M. EST where this geomagnetic storm can also occur later than expected. Scientists say that charged plasma particles from the sun will hit Earth where there will be a 90 percent chance of geomagnetic activity.
The SWPC also predicted a minor geomagnetic storm on New Year's Eve also created by this coronal mass ejection. This G1 storm is considered a minor one that can have minimal impact on power systems and navigation systems however, aurora borealis displays can be seen around northern Michigan or Maine where other parts of Canada are considered as prime viewing for these Northern Lights.
