Huge Solar storm brings Northern Lights in the US and UK: When and where to watch

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The FeedLast Updated: May 13, 2024, 11:51:00 AM IST

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This weekend, a captivating celestial event awaits as a rare and powerful solar storm is set to grace both the United States and the United Kingdom with the dazzling Northern Lights.

Huge Solar storm to bring Northern Lights in the US and UK: When and where to watch

A celestial spectacle is set to unfold this weekend as a rare and intense solar storm has brought the mesmerizing Northern Lights to both the United States and the United Kingdom. Forecasted by agencies, this event offers one of the best opportunities of the year to witness the aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere.

Solar Storm Sparks Aurora Borealis

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The Northern Lights, a captivating natural phenomenon, will grace the skies on Friday and Saturday, reaching as far south as Liverpool in the UK and spanning across more than a dozen US states, as per a report by Independent. This dazzling display is attributed to at least four coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun, releasing large amounts of plasma and magnetic flux into space.

Anticipating Auroral Activity
The Met Office anticipates sightings of the Northern Lights across the northern half of the UK, with a possibility of visibility extending to all parts of the UK and similar geomagnetic latitudes. The ideal viewing times are just after sunset or just before sunrise, offering spectators an opportunity to marvel at nature's radiant spectacle.

Optimal Viewing Conditions
Favorable weather conditions are expected across the British Isles, with clear skies forecasted by the Met Office just after sunset, particularly in Scotland and the northern regions of England and Ireland. These areas offer prime vantage points for experiencing the full splendor of the aurora borealis.

Solar Activity Impacts Communications

As a result of the intense solar weather, the Met Office issued an X-ray radio blackout alert for Friday, potentially affecting radio communications for about an hour. Despite this, the heightened geomagnetic activity promises an unparalleled display of the Northern Lights.

Auroral Reach in North America
In North America, the aurora borealis will extend across Canada and several US states, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. Spectators further south may also catch a glimpse of this extraordinary event under clear skies.

Rare Solar Storm Event
Classified as a level G4 storm by NOAA, this solar storm is deemed highly rare, representing the second highest level of geomagnetic activity. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center anticipates multiple coronal mass ejections reaching Earth, resulting in elevated geomagnetic activity and a dazzling display of the Northern Lights.

Biggest solar storm in 20 years brings auroras; threatens to impact Earth's communication systems

An ‘extreme’ geomagnetic storm, rated 5 out of 5 by the Space Weather Prediction Center, is underway, reminiscent of 2003. The sun, currently in a phase of heightened activity known as solar maximum, is expected to continue its robust performance through mid-to-late 2024. This surge in solar activity dazzles with vibrant auroras but poses communication disruptions also. With the sun in a heightened phase of solar maximum, potent solar flares and coronal mass ejections will persist, which can impact Earth's ionosphere and GPS systems. The Sun emitted two strong solar flares, peaking at 5:40pm ET on May 8, 2024, and 5:13am ET on May 9, 2024. Shedding light on the current situation, the Scientific Officer of the Institute of Plasma Research Centre Ahmedabad, Dr Ravi A V Kumar said, “Solar flares happen all the time. It’s like the sun is getting at the peak of its activity. The chances of more solar flares coming out at this point is higher. The solar flare that was emitted came out from a very active solar region. Highly charged particles of plasma and these charged particles can travel at a very high velocity. The faster these particle moves more dangerous they are. These charged particles come in contact with the polar region of the earth where they react with the gas molecules of the upper atmosphere and form Aurora Borealis.” Astronomer and Professor RC Kapoor informed, “Currently, the sun is passing through its strong phase of activity. These solar flares are emitted very often but if solar flares are directed toward Earth then it is a bit of a worrying situation. It can cause power cuts and disrupt technological lives.”

FAQs:

What happens when there is a solar storm?
Public and amateur radio often face interruptions, impacting communications. Various sectors such as navigation and land surveying rely on global positioning systems (GPS) to establish routes and pinpoint locations, utilizing radio waves emitted by satellites.

Is there going to be a solar storm in 2024?
The solar flare, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on May 9, 2024, has prompted the first severe geomagnetic storm watch in nearly 20 years. Earth is on the brink of experiencing the most significant solar storm in decades.

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( Originally published on May 11, 2024 )

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