Rare Aurora Borealis Seen in Oregon amid Powerful Geomagnetic Storm
Aurora Expected to Continue Tonight
Scientists Call it a 'Possible Historic Event'
PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - An intense geomagnetic storm that occurred on Sunday brought a dazzling display of the aurora borealis to Oregonians, with reports coming in from across the state.
The aurora, scientifically known as aurora borealis, is a natural light display in the Earth's sky, primarily visible at high latitude regions. It is caused by the collision of electrically charged particles from the magnetosphere with atoms in the high-altitude atmosphere (thermosphere).
According to scientists, the intensity of the geomagnetic storm that hit Earth on Sunday was the strongest in years. The storm was caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun, which is a large release of plasma and magnetic field.
The aurora is expected to be visible again in Oregon on Monday night, and possibly even more intense than on Sunday night. Scientists have called the aurora borealis a "possible historic event" and urged people to take advantage of the opportunity to see it.
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