Intense solar activity has produced coronal mass ejections that triggered a level 4 geomagnetic storm Tuesday and could spark another on Thursday, NOAA says. Auroras were visible from New Zealand and Australia to as far south as Mexico. Strong storms can disrupt communications, satellites and power grids — and prompted Blue Origin to postpone its New Glenn launch. Observers are advised to seek dark skies and use long-exposure photography to capture any faint displays.
Powerful Solar Storm Could Paint Skies with Auroras — and Disrupt Communications
Intense solar activity has produced coronal mass ejections that triggered a level 4 geomagnetic storm Tuesday and could spark another on Thursday, NOAA says. Auroras were visible from New Zealand and Australia to as far south as Mexico. Strong storms can disrupt communications, satellites and power grids — and prompted Blue Origin to postpone its New Glenn launch. Observers are advised to seek dark skies and use long-exposure photography to capture any faint displays.
12:23 PM, 11/13/2025Science
Powerful Solar Storm Could Paint Skies with Auroras — and Disrupt Communications
What happened: Intense solar activity has produced coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that triggered a level 4 geomagnetic storm on Tuesday, and forecasters say another CME could arrive in time to spark more activity Wednesday night into Thursday.
Where it was visible: Spectacular auroral displays were reported from New Zealand and Australia and, unusually far south, as far as Mexico, where faint pink and green glows lit the night sky.
Why it matters: CMEs slam into Earth's magnetic field and create geomagnetic storms that can produce vivid Northern and Southern Lights at unusually low latitudes. But strong storms also pose operational risks: they can interfere with radio and satellite communications, cause satellite glitches, and strain electrical grids.
Impact and precautions
NOAA recorded a level 4 storm out of 5 on Tuesday and warned that the arrival of another CME could produce another intense storm on Thursday. Last year, a level 5 storm — the strongest in two decades — created similarly dramatic auroral displays across both hemispheres.
Because of these risks, Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, postponed the launch of its New Glenn rocket on Wednesday as a precaution.
Tips for aurora watchers
- Seek dark skies away from city lights for the best view.
- Bring a camera or smartphone; long-exposure photos can reveal faint aurorae that may be hard to see with the naked eye.
- Monitor official space weather updates from NOAA or local authorities for safety and timing.
Note: While aurorae are beautiful, strong geomagnetic storms can affect critical infrastructure and communications. Stay informed and exercise caution if you work with sensitive satellite or radio systems.