The Sun has just produced a pair of potent eruptions that raise our chances of seeing the aurora borealis in unexpected places — and that means sky-watchers should keep an eye on the night skies this coming Wednesday, November 12.
What’s happening on the Sun
In recent days, solar observatories detected two major X-class flares erupting from the Sun. These are among the most powerful flares the Sun can produce, and each launched a cloud of charged solar material — known as a coronal mass ejection (CME) — into space, potentially headed toward Earth.
Additionally, a massive “butterfly-shaped” coronal hole (a region on the Sun where the magnetic field is open and allows solar wind to stream out) has been identified. This feature is estimated to span around half a million kilometres across — more than 35 times the width of Earth.
That coronal hole is significant because when it faces Earth, the fast solar wind it emits can act as a trigger or amplifier for geomagnetic storms — the same storms that produce auroras.
What to expect and when
Space weather forecasters are already issuing alerts for Tuesday and into Wednesday night. The arrival of one or more CMEs could spark a G2 (moderate) or even G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm, especially if the solar wind’s magnetic field aligns favourably with Earth’s.
In fact, recent alerts highlight that up to 22 U.S. states are currently on aurora watch as plasma clouds arrive from the Sun. The implication: the aurora may be visible much farther south than usual if conditions cooperate.
The best potential for aurora activity appears to be Wednesday night, November 12, when the combined effects of the CME impact and the fast wind from the coronal hole may maximise the disturbance.
Where and how to view the aurora
If you are located above roughly the 45th parallel, you are in prime territory to look north after sunset and into the early hours.
With a strong event, there is a chance the aurora could be seen from lower latitudes — in the mid-USA, parts of Europe or Asia that typically don’t see strong displays.
For the best view: pick a location with clear skies and minimal light pollution. Even thin high clouds may be acceptable when the aurora is strong, but heavy overcast will block things.
Keep an eye on space weather feeds and magnetometer readings (sudden spikes often signal substorms, which amplify the aurora).
Use a camera with exposure control! The human eye often sees only a faint glow, while long exposures reveal more dramatic colours.
Why this event stands out
Several factors make this alert worth attention:
1. Size of the coronal hole – at roughly half a million kilometres across, it’s unusually large and playing a notable role in streaming solar wind toward Earth.
2. Strength of solar flares and CMEs – X-class flares are top-tier events, and the associated CMEs appear to be Earth-directed, increasing the odds for geomagnetic impact.
3. Timing and alignment – The combination of fast solar wind + one or more CMEs + favourable magnetic alignment creates a “perfect storm” scenario for auroras.
4. Lower latitude potential – Because the event might push auroras further south than usual, it gives more people the chance to witness the spectacle — as indicated by the 22-state alert.
5. Duration and spread – The fact that alerts cover a wide area means the event could last several hours and produce vivid activity across multiple regions.
A few caveats
Space weather forecasting remains inherently uncertain: exact arrival times, storm strength, and aurora reach vary widely.
Even if the storm arrives, local viewing conditions (weather, light pollution, horizon obstruction) can severely limit visibility.
The aurora may still be faint or limited even under good conditions if the solar wind’s magnetic field doesn’t align strongly with Earth’s.
Thursday may come with a real sky show — especially Wednesday night is looking like the moment to watch. If you have access to dark skies and open horizon, set an alert for November 11–12, and keep your camera ready. Should the solar storm hit as models indicate, we could see auroras dancing farther south than expected. Stay tuned, stay patient — and here’s hoping the Sun delivers.