Northern Lights Forecast to Shine Over Canada Thursday Night
The Aurora Borealis may dance across Canada's night sky as a dynamic region of the Sun releases strong solar activity. This heightened solar energy could lead to vivid displays of the northern lights in the days ahead.
In recent weeks, astronomers and space weather observers have tracked a remarkable series of eruptions from the Sun. These coronal mass ejections, or solar storms, mostly erupted from the far side of the Sun or were directed away from Earth.
All these events originated from one group of sunspots called Active Region 4274, which has now rotated into view along the Sun’s eastern edge.
Observation and Satellite Data
The Sun’s image captured by the SUVI instrument on NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite highlights several active regions visible in early November. Near the center of the SUVI frame lies a darker area indicating a large coronal hole.
The accompanying inset images taken by NASA and ESA’s SOHO spacecraft using the LASCO C3 coronagraph display four major coronal mass ejections linked to Active Region 4274.
“On the morning of November 4, a powerful solar flare exploded from AR 4274. Measured as an X1.8-class flare, it is the strongest we’ve seen from the Sun since the X1.9 flare on June 19. It also ranks as the fifth strongest flare of 2025 so far.” — NOAA, NASA/ESA, Scott Sutherland
These solar eruptions may enhance auroral activity across Canada, offering skywatchers a brilliant spectacle if conditions remain clear.
Author’s Summary
Powerful solar flares from Active Region 4274 could generate widespread auroras across Canada, giving observers a chance to witness rare and vivid celestial displays.