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Thank the ‘Severe Solar Storm’: The Northern Lights are put on show across region

By Nick Dunn and WHIO Staff

Northern Lights Greene County The Northern Lights could be seen clearly from this location in Greene County on Thursday night, Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy: News Center 7 viewer)

By Nick Dunn and WHIO Staff

DAYTON — The Northern Lights, as promised, could be seen in the Miami Valley region on Thursday night.

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As reported at 6:00, Storm Center 7′s Nick Dunn broke down the timing and passed along the best ways to see the lights in the region.

A coronal mass ejection (CME) will likely arrive at Earth on Thursday night into Friday morning, which will lead to elevated geomagnetic activity and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights in the Miami Valley, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.

A geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for Oct. 10 and 11 for the potential of this activity. Watches at this level are rarely issued Dunn said.

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This would be the sixth time the Northern Lights would be visible in the region this year.

The reason for that is we are currently in what we call a “solar maximum” where every 11 years the activity on the sun reaches a point where sunspots are more numerous and solar flares are more common.

>>PHOTOS: Viewer photos of Northern Lights across Miami Valley

The best viewing will be late Thursday past 11 p.m. through about 2 a.m. Friday.

To have the best chance at seeing the aurora, get away from any city lights and look to the northern horizon. Use your camera’s long exposure or night mode to capture the best photos.

Northern Lights Impacts Another chance to view the Northern Lights in the Miami Valley. (Courtesy: Weather Specialist Nick Dunn, Storm Center 7)

The aurora may be visible as far south as Alabama to northern California.

Besides the Northern Lights, the Space Weather Prediction Center says this geomagnetic storm could have detrimental impacts to some critical infrastructure and technology.

If you see the Northern Lights, be sure to share your photos with us here.

Northern Lights Explained This is how the Northern Lights happen. (Storm Center 7 Weather Specialist Nick Dunn).

We will continue to update this story as warranted.

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Northern Lights seen just north of Williamsburg, Indiana Photo from: iWitness 7 viewer (Michelle Day) (iWitness 7 viewer (Michelle Day) /iWitness 7 viewer (Michelle Day))

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