OTTAWA – The aurora borealis (Northern Lights) is predicted to be visible across many parts of Canada tonight. According to a forecast released by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the aurora may be visible in the western and northern parts of Canada on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Most of Canada is in the zone with a high probability of seeing the aurora tonight.
This celestial spectacle will be clearly visible in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Territories, Ontario, and Quebec. It may also be visible in southern Ontario, Quebec, and the western parts of the Atlantic provinces. The light display will last all night and is expected to be most intense between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
The aurora is formed as a result of the interaction between solar winds and the Earth’s magnetic field. Charged particles from the solar winds are attracted by the Earth’s magnetic field and collide with gas molecules in the atmosphere, creating the aurora. These collisions produce light. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Earth’s magnetic field is stronger at the poles. The aurora was also visible last Monday due to increased solar activity.
