G2 geomagnetic storm watch issued as CME heads for Earth — northern lights possible across northern US Oct. 8-9

NOAA has issued a G2 geomagnetic storm watch for Oct. 9 as the CME races toward Earth, potentially boosting the northern lights as low as Idaho and New York. The sun unleashed a powerful eruption early on Oct. 6, launching a coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth — and it could give the northern lights a boost later this week. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch for Oct. 9, when the CME is expected to reach Earth. The eruption accompanied an M1.4-class solar flare from sunspot region AR4549, which is currently positioned...