Why the northern lights have been lighting up southwestern Ontario skies, and how you can see them tonight - Action News
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Why the northern lights have been lighting up southwestern Ontario skies, and how you can see them tonight

An astronomer from Western University in London, Ont., explains why the aurora borealis has been moving so far south, lighting up our night skies with hues of green and pink.

Locals may be able to see the aurora as a massive solar storm batters our planet

This shot was by Craig Levine taken outside of Mount Brydges in Strathroy-Caradoc on May 10, 2024.
This photo by Craig Levine, a London, Ont.-based amateur astronomer, was taken outside of Mount Brydges in Strathroy-Caradoc on May 10. (Craig Levine)

Sightings of the northern lights knownas the aurora borealis havebecome an increasingly common topic of discussion for people in southwestern Ontario this year, with social media feeds periodically becoming flooded with photos of mesmerizinggreen and pink huesin the night sky.

According to a local astronomer and a professor at Western University in London, the increase in auroral activity is thanks to the sun's natural cycle, which culminates in a period of increased activity about every 11 years.

"The sun's activity has definitely increased in the past year. It's actually higher than it's been in more than 20 years," said Jan Cami, also the director of the university's Hume Cronyn Observatory.

The aurora borealis iscaused by solar particles that areflung from the sun toward the Earth by an explosion of energy on the sun's surface called a coronal mass ejection (CME).

"[That energy] travels a few hundred kilometres a second until it reaches Earth," said Cami."There's a whole mess of charged particles that impact the Earth's magnetic field."

A photo of the aurora borealis near London, Ont.
A photo of the aurora borealis near London, Ont. (Submitted by Devarsh Patel)

The distinct colours in the aurora are caused by those particles interacting with elements in the atmosphere.

When the sun's 11-year cycle comes to a close, it reaches what'scalled solar maximum a state in whichevents like solar flares and CMEs are significantly more common due to changes in the sun's magnetic field. Activity increases as the solar cycle progresses, moving closer to solar maximum, and then slows downon its way to the other end of the cycle known as solar minimum.

"We're approaching the maximum," said Cami. "We may have already reached the maximum, but we won't know until eight or so months after it happens because of the way these things are measured."

According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA), a severe geomagnetic storm was underway as of 1 p.m. on Thursdayand the likelihood of northern lights being visible in southwestern Ontario is high.

NOAA updates its aurora forecast dashboard periodically to show aurora activity predictions.
NOAA updates its aurora forecast dashboard periodically to show aurora activity predictions. (NOAA)

"Millions of people enjoyedthe solar eclipse without necessarily knowing all the science behind it. I think it's the same for northern lights,whether or not you understand what's happening. I go out not as a scientist, but as ahuman being who likes to experience this," Cami said.

Craig Levineis a former nationalpresident of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and a longtime member of the London Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. He's also an amateur astrophotographer who hopes to capture some of the ethereal tapestry in the sky.

"It's better than any fireworks display you'll ever see," said Levine, adding the wonder light show builds over time.

"You tend to look toward the north, first, and you'll see a greenish hazy glow on the horizon. Then, the colours intensify, and you'll see greens, reds, and some oranges. For bigger storms like this, you can sometimes see big, shimmering sheets as the aurora moves overhead and all around."

Amateur astronomer Craig Levine took this photo on Oct. 7, just north of Strathroy, Ont.
Amateur astronomer Craig Levine took this photo on Oct. 7, 2024, just north of Strathroy, Ont. (Craig Levine)

For those hoping to see the aurora on Thursday or Friday night, both Levine and Cami have similar advice find somewhere that's far from the city lights, and dress for cooler temperatures. Levine said it's important to bepatient, and Cami advised that forecasts can sometimes be inaccurate.

According to NOAA, the best time of day to see the lights is often between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Levine saidperhaps the best way to enjoy the lightsis to share the experience with others.

"There's so much division right now, but we all share the night sky, and that's a wonderful thing to bring people together."