Liputan6.com, Jakarta The Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights, is one of the most stunning natural phenomena that graces the night sky.
These dancing lights are caused by the complex interaction of charged particles from the Sun with Earth's magnetic field.
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One of the main factors affecting the intensity and visibility of the aurora is geomagnetic storms, a temporary disturbances in Earth's magnetosphere triggered by increased solar activity.
In October 2025, significant geomagnetic activity is predicted, increasing the chances of seeing the aurora borealis in various regions.
What is a Geomagnetic Storm and What Are Its Impacts?
A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance in Earth's magnetosphere caused by the interaction of the solar wind with Earth's magnetic field.
This phenomenon is primarily triggered by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar flares, and coronal holes that release high-speed solar wind.
This solar activity sends charged particles toward Earth, triggering a response in our planet's magnetic field.
The impacts of a geomagnetic storm vary, ranging from increased auroral visibility to potentially serious disruptions to technological infrastructure.
However, on the other hand, geomagnetic storms also have the potential to disrupt radio communications, GPS navigation systems, and power grids, especially in high latitudes.
Furthermore, geomagnetic storms can damage satellite electronic components, causing operational anomalies or even complete failure.
The increased atmospheric drag caused by the storm can also cause satellites in low orbit to lose altitude.
The intensity of geomagnetic storms is classified using the Kp Index and the G Scale, ranging from G1 (Minor) to G5 (Extreme), with impacts increasing as the scale increases.
Geomagnetic Storms and the Aurora Borealis Relations
Auroras occur when charged particles from the solar wind collide with gas molecules, such as oxygen and nitrogen, in Earth's atmosphere.
Earth's magnetic field then deflects these particles toward the poles, where their interaction with the gas molecules results in the release of energy in the form of light we see as the aurora.
Oxygen generally produces green or red light, while nitrogen emits a stunning purple or blue glow.
During a geomagnetic storm, increased solar activity causes more charged particles to be released and reach Earth.
These increased particles interact more intensely with the atmosphere, making the aurora appear much clearer, broader, and more intense.
Geomagnetic Storm and Aurora Borealis in October 2025
In October 2025, geomagnetic activity has been and is predicted to continue to affect aurora visibility.
Last weekend (around October 11-12, 2025), a coronal hole on the Sun triggered a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm sufficient to produce aurora over a wider area than usual, thanks to the Russell-McPherron effect.
Then, on October 16, 2025, a more significant geomagnetic storm, a G2 (moderate) category, caused aurora to be visiblein at least 15 US states, including some that rarely see them.
The best time to view them is between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM EDT.
The following day, on October 17, 2025, areas such as Montana, Idaho, Washington, North Dakota, Alaska, and Minnesota have the best chance of seeing a strong Northern Lights.
The 45-day long-range aurora forecast indicates several periods of "Unsettled" (unstable) and "Active G1" (minor storms), even a "Minor Storm G2" (moderate storm) on October 29, 2025.
Specifically, a G1 storm is predicted on October 28 and a G2 storm on October 29, based on data from the United States Air Force and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
How to See Aurora Borealis
The aurora is most often seen in regions around the Arctic, such as Norway, Finland, Canada, Alaska, Iceland, and Sweden.
Some specific recommended locations include Abisko in Sweden, Fairbanks in Alaska, Tromsø in Norway, Yellowknife in Canada, and Lapland in Finland.
Winter, between September and April, is the best time due to longer nights and darker skies.
The best time of day is usually three to four hours around midnight, between 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM local time.
Urban light pollution should be avoided, and the lunar cycle should be considered, as excessive moonlight can interfere with vision.
Monitoring aurora forecasts from space weather agencies like NOAA or SWPC is also highly recommended for up-to-date information on geomagnetic activity and aurora visibility.