March's 'equinox effect' may bring views of northern lights

March might be the best month in nearly a decade to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, due to the spring equinox and an increase in the sun's solar activity.

The sun will cross the celestial equator on Friday, March 20 at 10:46 a.m. ET, signifying the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the fall equinox in the Southern Hemisphere, according to Live Science. In combination with the sun's peaking solar cycle, it could bring increased chances for skywatchers to catch a glimpse of the atmospheric phenomenon of the northern lights.

Here's how the Earth is impacted by the equinox effect.

What is the equinox effect?

According to a 1973 paper known as the Russell-McPherron effect, also known as the "equinox effect," the magnetic fields of the Earth and the solar wind can momentarily coincide, creating "cracks" that allow charged particles to accelerate and intensify the Earth's northern light displays.

Due to the Earth's tilted axis, the sun's solar winds' have a greater chance for magnetic interaction with the planet's magnetosphere. More charged particles can enter the atmosphere and intensify geomagnetic storms at the equinoxes (March and September), when Earth's tilted magnetic field better aligns with the solar wind, according to Live Science.

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Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration track the evolution of the sun's solar cycle, which can create enormous explosions that can launch solar material, light and energy into space toward Earth. Coronal mass ejections and solar flares are examples of these explosions.

How the sun's solar winds impact Earth's atmosphere

Our unseen defense system consists of the Earth's magnetic field. We are protected from the strong solar winds by the barrier the field generates. Stronger solar winds can sometimes cause disruptions to the magnetic field.

Typically the greatest time to see the northern lights is around midnight, when solar activity is at its peak.

SOURCE: NASA, NOAA, Live Science and USA TODAY research