The polar vortex has exited, but a solar storm may be next on the agenda for the atmosphere.
According to NOAA's Space weather Prediction Center the strongest kind burst off the sun was sighted on Tuesday, reportedly the first of 2014. Its collection of plasma has organized into something called a coronal mass ejection (CME), and is headed in the general direction of Earth. This may result in aurora (northern lights) into the northern U.S. and perhaps even a bit farther south Thursday and/or Friday.
“…if you live in the northern latitudes, you will have a good shot at seeing the northern lights on the 9th and 10th, if you have clear skies!,”
While solar storms may spawn visually stunning skies, they also pose certain hazards. The associated radiation can harm spacecraft and satellites. The Center warns.
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