Bz is the solar wind’s magnetic orientation in the up/down direction. Although an Aurora can happen with a positive Bz, a negative Bz is generally better. A negative Bz helps the solar wind grab the earth’s magnetic field which can more easily lead to an Aurora. So a negative Bz is good. The more negative the better.
What does BZ mean for aurora borealis?
The north-south direction of the interplanetary magnetic field (Bz) plays an important role in the formation of Northern Lights. When the north-south direction of IMF flips south, the magnetic field lines connect to the earth’s magnetosphere which faces north.
What does the BZ indicate?
Bz indicates the orientation of the IMF. If the Bz is positive (northward), then the earth’s magnetic field will block most of the solar wind, and geomagnetic storming is unlikely.
What does bt mean aurora?
It arrives with a certain strength on Earth. ? To see bright Northern Lights you need the strength (Bt) to be positive. The stronger it gets, the more intense you will be able to see the aurora.
What is B sub z?
Earth’s magnetic field points north at the magnetopause. If the sun’s magnetic field points south — a condition scientists call “southward Bz” — then the sun’s magnetic field can partially cancel Earth’s magnetic field at the point of contact.
How do you read aurora alerts?
An aurora forecast is generally expressed using a number called a Kp index. The higher the index, the higher the geomagnetic activity is predicted to be. The geomagnetic activity creates the aurora, so, the higher the geomagnetic activity, the better the aurora is predicted to be!
What is Kp index for aurora?
The average equatorward boundary of the midnight aurora is shown for levels of magnetic activity ranging from relatively low, Kp=3, to very high, Kp=9.
What is the best aurora borealis app?
My Aurora Forecast is the best app for seeing the Northern Lights.
How hot are solar winds?
Space Environment
The solar wind is a stream of energized, charged particles, primarily electrons and protons, flowing outward from the Sun, through the solar system at speeds as high as 900 km/s and at a temperature of 1 million degrees (Celsius). It is made of plasma.
What is the outer heliosphere?
The outer heliosphere, where the solar wind meets and interacts with the local interstellar medium, represents the current boundary between space physics and astrophysics. Study of the outer heliosphere requires the consideration of both kinetic and MHD physics.
How high does KP have to be to see aurora?
5 or
If the Kp is 5 or greater, the better your chances of seeing an aurora. You can check out the SWPC Estimated Planetary Kp graph to see what has been happening during the past few days. The red bars indicate a Kp higher than 4, which makes your odds of seeing an aurora greater.
Are Northern Lights red?
Most Northern Lights are green in colour but sometimes you’ll see a hint of pink, and strong displays might also have red, violet and white colours, often seen by aurora chasers on Northern Lights trips. The reason for all these colours lies in the composition of our earth’s atmosphere.
Is there a Northern Lights app?
Hello Aurora is a northern light application created especially to help you to spot the aurora easily and in the safest way possible.
What is in the magnetosphere?
The magnetosphere is the region of space surrounding Earth where the dominant magnetic field is the magnetic field of Earth, rather than the magnetic field of interplanetary space. The magnetosphere is formed by the interaction of the solar wind with Earth’s magnetic field.
Is 2022 a good year for Northern Lights?
“There will continue to be aurora viewing opportunities in 2022,” Steenburgh said. “The solar cycle is indeed ramping up and as solar activity increases, so do the chances for Earth-directed blobs of plasma, the coronal mass ejections, which drive the geomagnetic storms and aurora.”
What is the highest Kp index ever recorded?
Top 50 geomagnetic storms
| Kp max | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003/10/29 | 9 |
| 2 | 2003/10/30 | 9 |
| 3 | 2000/07/15 | 9 |
| 4 | 2001/03/31 | 9- |
Can you predict Northern Lights?
As a naturally occurring phenomenon, the appearance of the Northern Lights is notoriously difficult to predict any further in advance than about two hours before it happens.
Can you see Northern Lights KP 3?
KP is just an indicator, but in most situations: KP 1 to 3: Auroras are usually quiet and faint. The predominant color is green, and they are most visible in the northern sky at high latitudes.
What does KP 7 mean?
Strong storm
Kp 7 – Strong storm – Bright, dynamic and colourful aurorae. Visible in the southern sky. Aurora coronae very likely. Kp 8 – Severe storm – Bright, dynamic and colourful aurorae.
What does nT mean in aurora?
nanotesla
Activity is recorded in nanotesla (nT) – a unit of measurement for magnetic field strength. In addition to the activity bars the plot shows coloured horizontal lines which also correspond to the alert levels.
How long do northern lights last?
How long do the northern lights last? Anywhere from 10 minutes to all night long, depending on the magnitude of the incoming solar wind. “Coronal holes” consistently produce nice auroras but big solar flares and CMEs-coronal mass ejections are responsible for global-wide aurora displays…the BIG shows!