High Aurora Activity Predicted For Next Few Nights in Montana

It is crazy to think about the science behind earth's magnetic poles. Earth is basically one big molten chunk of iron and nickel. That molten metal creates reverse poles, which create the earth's electromagnetic field. It is our electromagnetic field that protects every living creature from radioactive particles in space. Think of it as, what sci-fi movies call, a "force field" or "shield."

According to Wikipedia

Auroras are the result of disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by solar wind. These disturbances are sometimes strong enough to alter the trajectories of charged particles in both solar wind and magnetospheric plasma. These particles, mainly electrons and protons, precipitate into the upper atmosphere.

So an aurora is basically the light show that our electromagnetic field puts off when it is fighting off radioactive solar particles. These are measured in what is called a Kp index. On a scale of 0 to 9, the index measures how much geomagnetic activity will happen in the atmosphere.

Living in the northern hemisphere, we Montanans are lucky enough to witness the aurora borealis multiple times a year. Researchers are calling for an aurora light show, happening over the next few days in the northern skies of Montana.

According to KRTV

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G3 geomagnetic storm watch for Wednesday night, and a G2 geomagnetic storm watch for Thursday night. This means that the aurora borealis may be visible in portions of Montana over the next few nights.

Thankfully we are not expected to have much for cloud cover. So the night skies should be well lit for us here in Montana.