THE WASHINGTON POST:
A solar storm hit Earth on Thursday and brought beautiful displays of the northern lights to dark skies farther south than normal. The timing of the storm provided a great show for Europe, but those in North America could also see the dazzling lights if the storm persists into nighttime.The storm was classified “severe” (ranked 4 out of 5 in severity) as of Thursday afternoon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Forecasts show the storm could continue through Friday morning, but the timing could change as more data comes in. The agency said there is even a slight chance of “extreme” storming (ranked 5 out of 5) — a rare level only seen twice in about the past two decades. “It is looking really good for strong aurora tonight” in the United States, said Alex Young, a solar physicist at NASA.
