Aurora Watch Friday night, August 27

A bright green arc and bundles of rayed curtains light up the northern sky during an auroral display on March 19-20, 2021. Bob King

As soon as it gets dark, observers across the northern U.S., Canada and possibly the Midwest should keep watch for the aurora. Since this morning (August 27) the Earth's magnetic envelop has been buffeted by strong solar winds from a coronal mass ejection (CME) that occurred on August 23. Activity's still ongoing as of 7 p.m. CDT. Spaceweather forecasters are predicting a G1 or minor storm through about 10-11 p.m.

I've got clouds and rain here all night, but hopefully conditions are better where you live. With moonrise around 10:30 p.m. this evening we'll have a nice window of darkness. Find a location with a dark sky and look above the northern horizon for a greenish-colored arc of light reaching from northeast to northwest. You may even see vertical rays extending upward from this arc higher in the sky. 

Let us know if you spot anything. Auroras are also possible Saturday and Sunday nights (August 28-29) due to another blast from the sun. Good luck!

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