Solar storms gone crazy
By KAREN MADORIN
A bonus of living on the prairie involves seeing stunning sunrises and sunsets regularly. Anyone awakening as the eastern sky lightens enjoys colorful shows folks elsewhere would love to see. A similar event happens several evenings a week. Those viewing the western horizon can watch sky colors morph from hues of blue to shades of orange, red, crimson, violet, lavender, and deep purple. Few enjoy frequent displays of breathtaking beauty, but one sight Kansans seldom see is the Northern Lights akaAurora Borealis. One such opportunity occurred last week. Based on Kansas photography site postings, that solar storm created a lifetime memory for a few fortunate observers.
I kick myself I didn’t prop my eyelids open to watch night skies after receiving the Aurora Alert by Soft Serve News on my cell phone. However, after getting dozens of these the past eight years and staying awake through previous warnings without a payoff, I headed to bed. This alert looked good forNorthern Wyoming, but the diagram didn’t suggest a show in Northwest Kansas. Once I saw a vivid aurora photo from Perryton, Texas, the next morning I realized this magnetic surge ended up bigger than predicted.
I won’t pretend to understand the science behind these light shows, but it involves solar activity and Earth’s magnetic field. Professionals who monitor such phenomena can identify solar storms that trigger these amazing light shows before the performance begins and alert hopeful viewers.
Recently, NPR published an article titled “What Causes the Northern Lights? Scientists Finally Know for Sure” written by Joe Hernandez. He cited several prominent scientists’ explanation of these events, referring several times to Nature Communications. This journal article explained that “disturbances on the sun pull on Earth’s magnetic field.” Other experts validate this. Apparently, this tugging triggers “cosmic undulations known as Alfvén waves that launch electrons at high speeds into Earth’s atmosphere where they create the aurora.” This explains that sense of movement humans perceive during these cosmic events.
So, imagine powerful geomagnetic storms agitating uncountable electrons traveling toward Earth. Hernandez’s article referred to Jim Schroeder, physic professor and lead author on the Nature Communications article who compared these electrons to surfers paddling to catch waves. Like a surfer catching a surge of cresting water, these electrons latch onto and ride those Alfvén waves. As a result, their rate of speed increases considerably. Anyone who’s ridden fast amusement park rides, cars, or skis knows speed intensifies excitement. Those faster Alfvén waves affect hitchhiking electrons the same way.
Eventually, the speed diminishes and those electrons’ excitement dwindles. Humans who happen to observe that electro-magnetic calming view a “release of light, which they then see as the aurora.”
Anyone who has surfed can appreciate that scientist’s analogy. Clearly, increasing speed adds thrill, but eventually the rush ends. Where wave-riders immediately search the sea behind them for the next rising crest, spent electrons undulate in multi-colored light waves on the horizon. Ironically, spying this brilliant end result stimulates human nerve endings and shutter clicks. Soon afterward, a flood of northern light images overwhelms internet photo sites.
After missing this chance of a lifetime view of Northern Lights in Kansas, I’ll make a point to stay awake and watch dark skies next time I get an Aurora Alert.