The Sun has experienced a spike in activity in recent days that has seen six or seven eruptions on the surface of the star spit out solar material towards Earth. This could supercharge the Northern Lights and potentially cause disruption with infrastructure.

The Northern Lights are set to be visible across large parts of the UK overnight as a huge solar storm is going to hit Earth.

America's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reportedly issued its first severe solar storm warning since 2005 yesterday as a huge geomagnetic storm races towards Earth - meaning it could be the most powerful experienced in almost two decades.

It's set to hit overnight, and could supercharge the Northern Lights, making them visible in Scotland, northern England and Wales and even further south if conditions are right.

But the impressive Aurora Borealis could also potentially interfere with infrastructure, including the power grid and satellites when it hits.

  • TIN@feddit.uk
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    2 months ago

    That was incredible! Just back from getting up on the hills in Hertfordshire and the reds and green aurora visible to the naked eye were stunning.

    Never thought I would see that in this country.

  • Hol@feddit.uk
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    2 months ago

    Reckon it’s worth taking a drive out of London to spot the aurora?

    • Hol@feddit.uk
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      2 months ago

      Update: Worth it, thanks for the tips everyone!

      Took a drive out to a little town near Newmarket (Ousden) that seemed to be recommended as a stargazing spot. Top of a hill, hardly a cloud in the sky, sliver of a moon, and not even too cold. What a perfect night!

      *removed externally hosted image* *removed externally hosted image*

      Even on an iPhone 13 mini without a tripod or any skill in photography we managed to get a couple of amazing snaps.

      Finished up with some motorway services doughnuts on the way home in the wee hours.

      Overall:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - would do it again.

  • JohnSmith@feddit.uk
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    2 months ago

    This could be useful: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast Also, if you ever get the opportunity, go see the northern lights inside the arctic circle. Full colours across the sky is something else. It’ll be winter time for obvious reasons, and therefore typically cold as fuck, but definitely worth it.

    • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝@feddit.uk
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      2 months ago

      Thanks for that.

      A friend went on an excursion from northern Iceland, but I don't think he saw anything. My brother was working somewhere near Tromso.and was blown away.

  • Chris@feddit.uk
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    2 months ago

    I missed them, of course. They are set to return tonight but probably not as good.

    BBC News - Northern Lights: Where to see them in the UK on Saturday night https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68995042