GTA residents could see stunning display of northern lights
Posted August 3, 2010 11:43 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – It’s usually something only seen closer to the Arctic, but residents in the GTA could catch a rare glimpse of the northern lights.
If skies are clear Tuesday night, the Aurora Borealis — one of the great wonders of the world — will put on an amazing show.
Two minor solar storms that flared on Sunday have been shooting tons of plasma at the earth, thus intensifying the Aurora Borealis.
Dr. Ralph Chu, President of the Royal Astronomical Canada Centre told 680News residents of the GTA may actually get two nights of northern lights, as the solar flares are particularly strong right now.
“A lot of the time it’s really a one shot deal. You get a wave of highly charged energetic particles from the sun, they hit our atmosphere, they cause the oxygen and nitrogen to glow green and red and after several hours the whole thing dissipates and that’s it.” said Dr. Chu.
680News meteorologist Brian Hill said the northern lights will be seen from the western end of the Great Lakes all the way to the Maritimes.
Hill also offered some viewing advice. “Get far, far away from light pollution, so in other words, don’t stand downtown Toronto and expect to see it, you won’t. Get out in the country, away from any bright light source, and then that increases your chance of seeing [them].”
The best viewing time is Tuesday night or early Wednesday.
