Northern Lights could again light up parts of UK after strongest solar storm in decades
A series of strong solar flares spewed from the Sun's surface sent a shockwave of magnetically charged plasma directly at the Earth producing extended vivid displays of colour across the skies.
Sunday 12 May 2024 06:34, UK
The first extreme geomagnetic storm in two decades created a spectacular light show in UK skies on Friday night - and some parts of the country may have witnessed a colourful display once again on Saturday night.
Friday night's event across parts of the Northern Hemisphere posed a threat to communication networks, navigation systems and power grids too.
Elon Musk's Starlink, which owns around 60% of the estimated 7,500 satellites in orbit, providing internet coverage around the world, warned of a "degraded service" as a result of the phenomena.
It was the first G5 or strongest-rated geomagnetic storm since 2003, which caused blackouts in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa.
So what caused the extreme geomagnetic storm?
A series of strong solar flares spewed from the Sun's surface have sent a shockwave of magnetically charged plasma directly at the Earth, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
The resulting collision has caused a major disturbance to our own planet's magnetic field.
Does it pose a threat?
As well as producing extended vivid displays of colour across the skies in places the aurora borealis or Northern Lights cannot usually be seen, as witnessed in southern England, severe solar storms can also disrupt everyday communication and navigation systems.
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The Sun's energy has a direct impact on the Earth's ionosphere, where the planet's atmosphere meets space.
Changing conditions can affect satellites by increasing drag, while radio and GPS signals that travel through this layer of the atmosphere or rely on bouncing off it can also be disrupted.
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Severe solar storms can also create harmful geomagnetic induced currents in the power grid, leading to blackouts.
The largest known geomagnetic event in history, known as the Carrington Event of 1859, caused telegraph machines to spark and catch fire.
Sky News weather presenter Kirsty McCabe said there was a "chance" that the Northern Lights would be visible on Saturday night - but so far, there have been fewer reports of observations across the UK.
"There is a chance - but it's not as likely as Friday night so unlikely to be as bright or seen as far south," McCabe said earlier on Saturday.
"America's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) classed Friday night's solar storm as an extreme G5 - the highest level and first observed since 2003.
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Tap here"Saturday night will probably be more like a strong G3.
"You might not be able to see it with the naked eye but use a long exposure on your camera phone and you may be pleasantly surprised. Remember to look north."
What could prevent it from being seen again?
McCabe said: "You might not be in the right place, northern parts of the UK have a better chance than those further south.
"Plus, light pollution from cities could also spoil your view.
"And of course, the weather needs to play its part - if the skies aren't clear you won't see the aurora.
"For many places the weather conditions are looking good, plus it is mild overnight."
McCabe added: "The Northern Lights are most likely across Scotland, but as with Friday night, it is possible to see them further south if the solar activity is strong enough."