The head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, Engineer Majed Abu Zahira, confirmed that the Earth is currently experiencing a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm, following the arrival of a coronal mass ejection that hit the Earth's magnetic field on July 3, causing widespread auroral activity and extending it to areas at lower latitudes than usual. Abu Zahira explained that the storm led to the observation of the aurora borealis in more than 30 US states, along with most northern states near the Canadian border; the Northern Lights were even seen as far south as New Mexico at a latitude of approximately 36 degrees north, a remarkable southern extension during such geomagnetic storms.

Jeddah Astronomy: Strong Geomagnetic Storm Strikes Earth

Aurora Borealis Observed

He explained that this activity results from the interaction between the coronal mass ejection and the Earth's magnetic field, increasing the flow of charged particles toward the polar regions, generating the distinctive colors of the aurora. He noted that experts advise observers in areas with dark skies to use smartphones in night mode and point them toward the northern horizon, as the camera may capture the aurora even when it is difficult to discern with the naked eye. The head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society affirmed that Saudi Arabia and the Arab world will not witness the aurora borealis due to their location at low latitudes, far from the polar belts, and noted that the storm is not expected to cause direct impacts on daily life, although limited disruptions to some satellite communication and navigation systems may occur in high-latitude regions.

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