CaliToday (13/11/2025): Planet Earth is currently in the grips of a "severe" G4-level geomagnetic storm, sparking spectacular and rare displays of the aurora at latitudes as far south as Mexico. But as skywatchers rejoice at the celestial light show, officials are on high alert for the storm's other, more dangerous side: significant disruptions to communication networks, satellites, and the power grid.
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| The Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights, glows on the horizon over the waters of Brighton Beach in Dunedin, New Zealand early on November 13, 2025 (Sanka VIDANAGAMA) |
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed the intense solar activity, which began earlier this week, could continue to impact the planet through Thursday.
A "Once-in-a-Decade" Sighting
The phenomenon is the result of massive explosions on the Sun's surface, known as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). These events hurl billions of tons of solar particles into space, which, upon striking Earth's magnetic field, trigger the dazzling light displays of the aurora (Northern and Southern Lights).
On Tuesday, a powerful CME slammed into our planet, resulting in a G4 "Severe" storm the second-highest rating on NOAA's 5-level scale.
The impact supercharged the atmosphere, pushing the aurora far beyond its usual polar confines. Delighted residents in New Zealand and Australia reported vivid displays on Wednesday night. Even more astonishingly, skies as far south as Mexico lit up Tuesday with faint pink and green glows, a sight normally reserved for those who travel to the Arctic.
This event comes on the heels of last year's historic G5 "Extreme" storm, the first of its kind in 20 years, which produced similarly spectacular global sightings.
More Than Pretty Lights: Rockets Grounded, Grids Threatened
While the auroras are a beautiful consequence, the underlying geomagnetic storm is a significant threat to our high-tech civilization. Severe storms can:
Disrupt Communications: Scramble high-frequency radio signals used by airlines and maritime operations.
Damage Satellites: Malfunctions in GPS and other satellite systems can occur.
Overload Power Grids: Induce powerful electrical currents in long-distance power lines, potentially causing blackouts.
The threat is not theoretical. In a direct response to the hazardous space weather, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's space company, Blue Origin, was forced to postpone the launch of its New Glenn rocket on Wednesday. The intense radiation and atmospheric changes associated with the storm pose an unacceptable risk to launch and spacecraft operations.
The Storm ContinTo see the aurorae, enthusiasts are advised to seek darker skies away from city lights and to bring a camera or smartphone, which could reveal the lights in long-exposure photos if they are not visible to the naked eye.ues: Another Wave Incoming
NOAA officials are warning that the event is not over. Another CME, ejected from the same active "sunspot" region, is currently traveling toward Earth. Its arrival, expected today, could trigger a repeat of the G4 storm conditions again on Thursday.
For those hoping to catch the celestial dance, the advice is to move far away from city light pollution. Even if the lights are too faint to be seen with the naked eye, a modern smartphone or camera set to a long-exposure "night mode" can often capture the stunning colors that the human eye cannot.