Solar Storm Triggers Auroras Without Direct Impact on Earth

A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) passed close by Earth causing a "ripple effect" that ignited colorful lights inside the Arctic Circle, despite not striking Earth. CMEs are huge bubbles of coronal plasma threaded by intense magnetic field lines that are ejected from the Sun and have the potential to disrupt sensitive electronics on Earth, as well as affect power grids. Auroras form because of the CME from the Sun which sends solar fares hurtling towards Earth. NASA monitors solar activity using various satellites and telescopes, including the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).