Northern Lights Forecast to Shine Over Canada Thursday Night
The Aurora Borealis may light up the sky above Canada on Thursday night. A highly active region on the Sun, emitting powerful flares and solar storms, is forecasted to produce notable space weather in the coming nights.
Recent Solar Activity
In recent weeks, both solar astronomers and space weather enthusiasts have observed a remarkable series of solar eruptions. These coronal mass ejections (solar storms) either took place on the far side of the Sun or were directed away from Earth. All originated from a single group of sunspots called Active Region 4274, which has recently rotated into view on the Sun's eastern limb.
Solar Observations
An image captured by the SUVI instrument on NOAA's GOES-19 weather satellite reveals several bright active regions on the Sun as of early November. Near the center, a darker area indicates a large coronal hole.
- Four inset images from NASA/ESA's SOHO spacecraft LASCO C3 coronagraph display four major coronal mass ejections linked to AR 4274 (highlighted in yellow).
"On the morning of November 4, a powerful solar flare exploded from AR 4274. Measured as an X1.8-class flare, it is the strongest we've seen from the Sun since the X1.9 flare on June 19. It also ranks as the fifth strongest flare of 2025, so far."
Implications
This level of solar activity sets the stage for intense space weather, increasing the chances of spectacular northern lights displays, especially across Canada.
(NOAA, NASA/ESA, Scott Sutherland)
Author's Summary
The recent surge in solar eruptions from Active Region 4274 promises striking northern lights over Canada, energized by one of 2025's most powerful solar flares.