Saskatchewan treated to intense display of northern lights
Those in Saskatchewan gazing at the stars Monday night were treated to a brilliant display of northern lights – as a solar storm continues to bear down on the northern hemisphere.
From Meadow Lake to Ogema – space enthusiasts recorded myriads of colours dancing in the skies.
The Aurora Borealis as seen in Regina. (Submitted)
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported geomagnetic storm watches on Oct. 3 in the lead up to a pair of coronal mass ejections (CME).
CMEs and solar flares are extremely large explosions on the sun’s photosphere. They occur near sunspots, at the dividing line between areas of oppositely directed magnetic fields.
Plasma interacts with the magnetic field, which sends a burst of plasma up and away from the sun in the form of a flare. Solar flares emit x-rays and magnetic fields which bombard Earth in the form of geomagnetic storms.
The stronger the storms, the more visible and more widespread the Aurora Borealis can be.
These storms are rated from G5 (Extreme) to G1 (Minor).
G5 storms, which have the ability to cause widespread power grid issues, also can result in the northern lights being visible as far south as Florida and southern Texas.
The forecast for Oct. 6 – 7 was for G2 or moderate solar storms.
The northern lights spotted near Wynyard, Sask. on Oct. 7, 2024. (Courtesy: Sherri Grant)
Northern lights seen near Echo Lake on Oct. 7, 2024. (Courtesy: Don Drever)
The Aurora Borealis as seen in Regina on Oct. 7, 2024. (Submitted)
The Aurora Borealis as seen in Regina on Oct. 7, 2024. (Courtesy: Daelyn Rae Praski)
The Aurora Borealis in Regina as seen the night of Oct. 7, 2024. (Submitted)
This year has seen an influx of sunspots due to the 11-year solar cycle. According to NOAA, solar activity is expected to peak through 2025 and 2026.
NOAA’s storm watches have been extended through Oct. 8. This time with a warning of G3 (Strong).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Tracking Hurricane Milton: Storm becomes world's strongest of 2024
After reaching peak intensity with wind speeds of 180 m.p.h. (285 km/h) on Monday night, Milton became the strongest storm on our planet for 2024.
Hurricane Milton will likely hit Florida cities like Orlando, Tampa and Daytona Beach
Hurricane Milton is expected to leave a path of devastation across central Florida, from Tampa in the west to Daytona Beach in the east.
'This is just horrific': Meteorologist becomes emotional while providing Hurricane Milton update
A seasoned American meteorologist became emotional on air as he gave an update on a major hurricane, later suggesting the reason behind his strong reaction.
'A cause for concern': Canadian universities slip down world ranking list
An organization that ranks the best universities across the globe says its latest report shows a concerning trend that several of Canada’s institutions are slipping down its list.
B.C. man convicted of killing neighbour's chihuahua to protect his chickens
A British Columbia provincial court judge says a Boston Bar man who shot a teacup Chihuahua named Bear claiming it was menacing his chickens was not justified in killing the animal.
Liberals considering proroguing Parliament amid document impasse? Freeland says 'no'
The minority Liberal government is not considering proroguing Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday, despite persisting uncertainty over who is willing to keep propping them up and procedural wrangling over a Conservative led-privilege debate.
Hertz tells B.C. tribunal online reservations do not 'guarantee' an available car
A man who showed up at a rental car company only to be told his online reservation would not be honoured is entitled to compensation, B.C.'s small claims tribunal has ruled.
'Extremely disappointed': Family of homicide victim storms out of courtroom as judge reads decision
Emotions boiled over after a judge acquitted two out of three defendants in a manslaughter case, while the third accused has since died.
'I find it really disheartening': Family calls out police after Ottawa senior falls victim to theft in parking lot
On September 11, Madeleine Gervais was the victim of a theft in Ottawa's west end. It happened in the Loblaws parking lot in College Square, when she was approached by a man and a woman who insisted to help her load her groceries into her car.