UPDATED FORECAST: A new forecast model from NOAA predicts one direct CME impact during the early hours of Nov. 7th followed by a glancing blow on Nov. 8th. The one-two punch could produce minor (G1) to strong (G3) geomagnetic storms in the next 48 hours. Here are the two incoming CMEs: #1, #2, both produced by active sunspot 4274. High latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. CME impact alerts: SMS Text.
Last night, auroras were sighted from several northern-tier US states. Here is the grandson of photographer Gregory Ash watching the show from Duluth, Minnesota:
"It’s a very cool moment when you can watch the Northern Lights from your grandson's house," says Ash. "We could see them despite the bright moonlight."
This display was caused by a close encounter with a CME--not a direct hit, but near enough to spark a G3-class geomagnetic storm. Earth's magnetic field is calming now, but the calm won't last long if the current NOAA model is correct.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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WATCH FOR A COMET AMONG THE AURORAS: The next few nights could bring a rare photo-op--a comet among the auroras. Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) is well-positioned in the sunset sky for a cameo during this week's geomagnetic storms. Here's an example from Peter Rosen in Abisko, Sweden:
"It’s not often that I swear at the Northern Lights," says Rosen. "But I wanted to photograph comet Lemmon -- and then an aurora showed up and ruined the shot!"
Comet Lemmon is approaching the sun for a close encounter on Nov. 8th. The moment of perihelion (0.53 AU) could be framed by the glow of a CME impact. Look for the comet after sunset shining at 4th magnitude in the constellation Ophiuchus. Sky maps: Nov. 6, 7, 8.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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NORTHERN LIGHTS PENDANT FROM SPACE: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Consider the Northern Lights Pendant. Here it is, hitching a ride to the stratosphere onboard an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray balloon:
You can have it for $129.95. Featuring tall Norwegian Spruce trees silhouetted by blue-green auroras, the pendant makes an otherworldly birthday or anniversary gift.
The students are selling space pendants to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the ornament in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space.
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