'Massive' solar flare expected to light up Alberta sky Friday
A “Cannibal CME” is approaching the earth, and while it sounds sinister, it actually is a good sign that a dazzling aurora light show could kick off December.
CME is short for Corona Mass Ejection and NASA describes them as “clouds of electrified, magnetic gas weighing billions of tons.”
These CME’s are ejected from the sun and launched into space at rapid speeds ranging from 20 to 2,000 kilometers per second.
“[Tuesday] there was a massive solar flare and it launched directly towards us at a faster speed and it’s going to swallow up the [solar flares] in front of it,” explained Matt Melnyk, an avid aurora chaser and pilot in Calgary. “So it’s eating the other ones in front of it and making itself stronger and powerful.”
It’s difficult to determine exactly when this Cannibal CME will make contact with the Earth’s atmosphere, but it’s anticipated it could happen as early as Thursday evening, with the big show on Friday night.
It’s difficult to determine exactly when this Cannibal CME will make contact with the Earth’s atmosphere, but it’s anticipated the aurora will be at its most intense Thursday evening heading into Friday morning.
The aurora should also be visible on Friday night into Saturday as well.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration uses a KP-Index (KPI) to monitor the level of disturbance (geomagnetic activity) these solar flares have on the Earth’s magnetic field.
The KPI ranges from zero (quiet) to nine (intense storm).
The higher the KPI typically results in a longer latitude of visibility in the northern hemisphere, though sometimes the relationship doesn’t always hold up.
The KPI for this upcoming CME is expected to be a seven (strong storm).
That means there is a high likeliness this aurora will be bright, energetic and colourful and could extend down into the United States.
SOLAR MAXIMUM
“Here in Calgary, you’ll be able to view the auroras directly overhead and south which is not normal our location at all,” said Melnyk. “Which means people in Colorado could see it, possibly even California.”
Right now the forecast over Calgary is showing mostly cloudy conditions for Thursday night, but there are encouraging signs of clearing conditions as we get into Friday and Saturday.
Even if Calgarians miss out on this latest aurora event, Melnyk says we are just getting started when it comes to these kinds of sightings in the sky as this cycle doesn’t hit its solar maximum until 2025.
“We are climbing our way towards solar maximum so these kinds of events are going to become more frequent, more often and we are going to have many, many opportunities to witness these aurora.”
If you capture any shots of this upcoming aurora feel free to send them our way at calgaryweatherpics@bellmedia.ca.
Must Watch
Top Videos
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW | Ministers Joly, LeBlanc travel to Florida to meet with Trump's team
Two members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet will be in Palm Beach, Fla., Friday to meet with members of Donald Trump's team.
23 min ago
UPDATED | India alleges widespread trafficking of international students through Canada to U.S.
Indian law enforcement agencies say they are investigating alleged links between dozens of colleges in Canada and two 'entities' in Mumbai accused of illegally ferrying students across the Canada-United States border.
31 min ago
Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' dies after falling from moving vehicle
Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' died last week after falling from a moving vehicle in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, according to CNN affiliate WVTM.
3 hours ago
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defence fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured.
2 hours ago
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
3 hours ago
Pizza deliverer in Florida charged with stabbing pregnant woman at motel after tip dispute
A pizza deliverer in central Florida has been charged with pushing her way into a motel room with an accomplice and stabbing a pregnant woman after a dispute over a tip, authorities said.
2 hours ago
Unwanted gift card in your stocking? Don't let it go to waste
Gift cards can be a quick and easy present for those who don't know what to buy and offer the recipient a chance to pick out something nice for themselves, but sometimes they can still miss the mark.
1 hour ago
Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials
Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border.
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.