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<\/p>\nSee A Stunning Time-Lapse Of Auroras Over New Hampshire<\/p>\n
The fall equinox arrived this week, and that means Earth is entering a roughly two-month window when geomagnetic storms, and the auroras they can produce, become more common.<\/p>\n
That means, starting now, and for the rest of the season, you’ll have a greater chance of spotting the northern lights.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The reason comes down to some pretty simple (and cool) geometry and physics.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Weather in your inbox<\/p>\n
By signing up you agree to the Terms<\/a> & Privacy Policy<\/a>. Unsubscribe at any time.How it works<\/p>\n The Sun is constantly blowing a stream of charged particles known as “solar wind” toward Earth. Luckily, our planet’s magnetic field acts as a giant shield, deflecting much of that material.<\/p>\n But around the equinoxes, Earth’s magnetic field is oriented in a way that can make it easier for energy from the solar wind to get into our atmosphere, which eventually helps power those spectacular auroral displays.<\/p>\n (MORE: The best northern lights photos from across the U.S.<\/a>)<\/p>\n Get More of Our News on Google<\/p>\n Set The Weather Company as a ‘Preferred Source’ to get quicker access to the news you value.<\/p>\n Scientists call this seasonal effect the Russell-McPherron effect. NASA describes the geometry as especially favorable around the spring and fall equinoxes.<\/p>\n Why that translates to more northern lights<\/p>\n More solar energy in our atmosphere (specifically the magnetosphere) means geomagnetic storms are more likely when the right solar wind conditions arrive.<\/p>\n The British Geological Survey notes that magnetic storms generally occur more often around the equinoxes, particularly in March-April and September-October.<\/p>\n And research into major geomagnetic storms has found the same seasonal pattern: activity tends to rise around the equinoxes and dip around the solstices.<\/p>\n That doesn’t mean an aurora is guaranteed every night. Clouds, darkness, location and the Sun’s activity still matter.<\/p>\n But the odds get that seasonal nudge.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790370253_336_google-preferred-source-badge-en.083veuzl7n_jk.png\"\/){kind=icon}
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