According to the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), a “solar tsunami” is headed toward Earth. The CfA scientists believe this plasma hurling through interplanetary space will create a spectacular light show tonight. The event does not seem to pose a significant danger, though it may impair the functioning of some satellites in orbit.

The term solar tsunami is taking hold in the news, but this event is more commonly called a solar flare and technically called a coronal mass ejection. To cause a coronal mass ejection, magnetic forces must realign in a way that releases a significant amount of energy. This occurs when oppositely directed magnetic fields come in contact with each other. The contact creates a storm on the surface of the sun, causing the star to literally spit out ionized atoms. It just so happens that Earth will intercept this flying plasma, and when it hits our atmosphere, interactions with nitrogen and oxygen will create a cloudy neon glow– just like our legendary aurora borealis.

We admit that this news has nothing at all to do with solar electricity, it’s just an opportunity to see one of our solar system’s more beautiful quirks. If you live in the Northern United States, or anywhere at a somewhat high latitude for that matter, it might just be worthwhile to get up at 3 am and check this out. It reminds us that there is a lot going on in the universe that’s larger than ourselves.