ReportWire

Tag: Skywatching

  • Heads up Monday night! Aurora may be visible in North Carolina

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    The northern lights may once again be seen in North Carolina Monday night. 

    Tony Rice, NASA ambassador and WRAL contributor, first brought you this potential Sunday night.

    As of Monday, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center says that the geomagnetic storm directed toward Earth could reach G4 status. 

    A geomagnetic storm is what results from a coronal mass ejection (aka. solar flare) interacting with Earth’s magnetic field. The stronger that interaction, the higher ‘G’ status/stronger geomagnetic storm and the farther south the aurora could be seen.

    Rice tells us, “The magnetometer image showing a clear halo from the CME gives some confidence that we’ll see something.”

    He cautions, however, that we emphasize potential rather than guarantee. You think weather forecasting on Earth is hard? Try predicting space weather!

    Based on previous experience, however, a G4 storm usually leads to the aurora being seen in North Carolina. 

    Expectations of it dancing over your head like you’d see in Canada, Alaska, Iceland, Scandinavia, etc. should be limited, though. 

    Your best bet is to get a clear view of the northern horizon, and turn your phone on Night Mode. Some projections show 11 p.m. being the peak. If you’re dressed for the cold, try going out earlier. You never know!

    If you happen to get any good photos, send them to Report It.

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  • Round 2: Northern Lights may shine again in Wednesday night sky

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    The Aurora borealis put on an impressive showing in portions of the U.S. and Canada Tuesday night, and there’s potential for it to strike again Wednesday. 

    Followers from as far north as Nova Scotia to as far south as Florida sent me photos Tuesday night!

    >> Your photos of the Northern Lights

    You can do so too by submitting your photos through wral.com/reportit.

    What’s causing the aurora to be visible this far south?

    As a refresher to Tuesday’s article, let’s talk about Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). These ejections – or solar flares – head toward Earth. 

    In this case, there are a series of them – and they are tough to predict, according to Tony Rice. Once they interact with Earth’s upper atmosphere, the aurora can be seen.

    The stronger the geomagnetic storm (interaction between CME and Earth), the farther south the aurora can glow.

    Will we see it again Wednesday night?

    There is a good chance of the aurora being seen again, but there is a caveat.

    NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center and NASA say an even stronger CME is heading toward Earth, but it’s expected to make impact around midday. 

    So, we’ll need the severity of the geomagnetic storm to maintain until after sunset. If that happens, it’s game on!

    You’ll need a clear view of the northern sky with minimal-to-no light pollution. Take your smart phone’s camera, and put it on night mode with exposure set to 10s.

    Should the storm maintain severity, the Aurora would be seen again in North Carolina with visibility potentially extended south toward the U.S.’ Gulf Coast.

    Why are we seeing auroras more often?

    Science and technology are both the cause. 

    The sun is in a “maximum” in its cycle, where sun spots are more active and more flares are being ejected. By that logic, alone, you have more chances to see the Aurora. 

    The Aurora is also more commonly seen closer to an Equinox rather than closer to a Solstice. 

    The technology aspect comes down to our smart phones. The long exposure settings that we now have access to allow us to photograph these more often than recent years. 

    So again, if you do get good photos – we want to see them and share them!

    Send those through wral.com/reportit.

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  • Explore the night sky in Huntersville with the Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club Sept. 27 – Charlotte On The Cheap

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    Huntersville Parks & Recreation is hosting a FREE event, Explore the Night Sky, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 8 to 10 p.m., at the Bradford Park Trailhead, 15040 Ramah Church Road, Huntersville, North Carolina.

    This family-friendly event was announced on Facebook.

    Members of the Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club will be on hand, with their telescopes and knowledge, to guide you.

    There’s no cost and no registration required. Please direct questions to jmurrow@huntersville.org.

    Double-Check Before You Head Out!

    We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
    However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake. 
    Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.

     

     

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