As a result of a massive solar flare hitting the Earth, the Northern Lights could be seen over Stirling, the Lake District, and even Devon last night.
According to the Met Office on November 2, a coronal Mass Ejection (CME), left the Sun. As charged particles hit Earth, a geomagnetic thunderstorm was created, resulting in the amazing light shows.
These displays are usually restricted to high-latitude regions of the Arctic and Antarctic.
These shows can also appear at lower latitudes when the coronal mass or solar flares are particularly strong, like last night. Images were shared of the light show from the Lake District, North Wales and Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Bedfordshire, and even Devon.
According to the Met Office there will be a second geomagnetic storm tonight. It is expected that it will be between a level three to four (outof five).
This could make aurora visible across the UK, not just the most northern parts. It could also cause problems for GPS satellites.
After a coronal mass ejection from sun, the northern lights were visible above Hadrian’s wall. The spectacular display was visible as far south and as far as Cambridgeshire
Skygazers and photographers were stunned by the incredible display of Northern Lights that was seen over Derwentwater in the Lake District. It was visible until the early hours of Thursday.
One of the most southerly was this orange glow shared by Luke Farley, taken at about 9pm near Crediton in Devon
Skywatchers shared photos of light displays from the UK, ranging from faint glows over Bedfordshire to bright dancing light shows in Scotland’s north.
The brighter and more widespread auroras can be attributed to a more active coronal masses ejection (CME).
It is known as a Cannibal-type of CME. It sweeps up any slower flares before it and races towards the Earth.
Combining them creates a mixture of strong magnetic field and plasma which then acts to generate geomagnetic thunderstorms as they hit Earth’s atmosphere.
These storms arrive in waves over the course of a few days. The first one hit last night. Another is expected tonight between 18:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT.
A G4 storm, which is described as severe in the UK, will not have a significant impact on the power grid but could cause some control problems or even outages elsewhere.
There will be small problems for spacecraft, including adjustments to orbital positions and disruptions of radio frequencies on Earth.
The Met Office space forecast for the next two-days reads: “The strong solar wind speeds after the arrival of CME are expected to continue through day one (4th) and day two (5th).”
The lights in the north of Scotland were multicoloured, but the lights in Cambridgeshire (pictured) were muted and glowed on the horizon.
This image shows the northern lights as a green glow that lights up the night sky above Ayr Beach. If the solar flares or coronal masses ejections can be particularly strong, such as last night, these shows may appear at lower latitudes. This image shares images of the light show from the Lake District, North Wales and Bedfordshire.
The Northern Lights can be seen just above Fernland, Cambridgeshire. According to the Met Office (), a coronal mass eruption (CME) occurred on November 2. As charged particles hit Earth, a geomagnetic thunderstorm was created, resulting in the amazing light shows.
It is possible that it will ease back but they aren’t too confident in that forecast. They predict’minor’ or’moderate’ geomagnetic thunderstorms potentially increasing.
In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in the size of flares that can cause southerly aurora.
According to astronomers, the Sun is now in the active phase of its 11 year cycle, which has led to an increase in solar activity.
Every 11 years, the polarity in the Sun’s magnetic fields shifts. As it does, the forces in our star get tangled up and punch through the surface. This causes plasma to be released into space as CMEs or solar flares.
Residents of Eden Valley, Cumbria could see multiple colors. Skywatchers shared images of bright light displays across the UK, from faint glows in Bedfordshire to dancing light shows in the north, and have been sharing them with Skywatchers
They were visible even under the glowing lights of Edinburgh. The brighter and more widespread aurora can be attributed to a more active coronal masses ejection (CME).
Roger Skillin, a photographer from Cranfield, Bedfordshire, captured a faint red glow. It is known as a Cannibal-type of CME. This means it sweeps up slower flares as it races towards Earth.
2020 saw the Sun enter the active phase of his cycle, which already has resulted in an increase the number of solar storms and flares reaching Earth.
It will peak around 2025. This is around the time that the ESA Solar Orbiter should fly within 26 million miles from our star.
MailOnline was informed by the Met Office: “We are seeing a gradual uptake in solar activity, and associated space weather.
“This is due to our moving away from the solar minimum (late 2019/early2020) and towards next solar maximum (expected mid-2025).
“Over the next few decades we can expect increasing solar activitiy, with a corresponding rise in space weather events affecting Earth’s near-Earth space environment.
A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots (areas that appear dark on the Sun’s surface).
CMEs are caused by solar flares and are distinct from solar flares. Both are types of sunspots.
NASA explains that we typically see a solar flare from the photons (or lights) it releases at most all wavelengths of the spectrum.
X-rays, optical light and xrays are the main ways to monitor flares. Flares are also places where particles (electrons and protons, as well as heavier particles) can be accelerated.
‘Flares are our solar system’s largest explosive events. They are visible as bright areas of the sun and can last for up to several hours.
The Northern Lights, which are found in the Earth’s northern regions, is officially known as the Aurora borealis. In the south, it is called the Aurora australis.
The Northern Lights have been a fascination for Earthlings since ancient times, but its science remains elusive.
The Lake District put on a vibrant and varied show in Eden Valley, Cumbria. Combining them creates a maze of strong magnetic field and plasma which then acts to generate geomagnetic storms in the atmosphere.
Knockmealdown in County Waterford, Ireland saw streaks green and pink light above the horizon. These storms arrive in waves over the course of a few days. The first hit last night. Another one is expected tonight between 18:00 GMT – 01:00 GMT.
Derwentwater, located near Keswick in Lake District. A G4 storm, which is described as severe in the UK, will not have a significant impact on the power grid but could cause problems elsewhere and even outages.
Earth has an invisible forcefield, the magnetosphere, that protects us from dangerous charged particles from the Sun.
The magnetosphere refers to the area around Earth that is controlled magnetically.
Science expert Marty Jopson explains: ‘Whilst it shelters us, it also creates one of the most impressive phenomena on Earth – the Northern Lights.’
‘When the deadly sun’s winds collide with Earth’s magnetosphere and some of the charged particle get trapped, they are propelled down Earth’s magnetic field lines straight to the poles.
Northern Lights seen at Campsie Fells shortly after 10.15 on Wednesday evening. There may be minor issues with spacecraft. This will require adjustments to the orbital position. Radio frequencies could also be disrupted on Earth.
Northern Lights Over Stirling, Scotland The Sun entered the active phase of the cycle in 2020. This has already seen an increase in solar storms and flares reaching Earth.
“And when they reach Earth they strike atoms, molecules in our atmosphere, releasing light energy.”
Disruption of our magnetic field may also affect satellites orbiting, navigation systems, terrestrial power grids, data networks, and data storage.
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), “Harmful space weather has already affected Earth before, but as our dependence on systems and technologies susceptible to the Sun’s outbursts increases, future solar impacts could even be more disruptive,”
WHAT ARE AURORAS, AND WHAT TRIGGERS STUNNING NATURAL DEPLAYS?
The Northern and Southern Lights, also known as the “Auroras”, are natural light spectacles that are triggered by our atmosphere.
There are two types: Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis. This means ‘dawn from the north’.
The displays light up when electrically charged particles from the sun enter the Earth’s atmosphere.
There are two types: Aurora Borealis (file pic), which is the ‘dawn from the north’; and Aurora Australis (dawn from the south). The displays light up when electrically charged particles from the sun enter the Earth’s atmosphere
Usually the particles, sometimes referred to as a solar storm, are deflected by Earth’s magnetic field.
They can also enter the atmosphere during stronger storms and collide with gas particles like hydrogen and Helium.
These collisions emit light. Auroral displays are visible in many colours, but they are most commonly pink and pale green.
| CATEGORY | LEVEL | POSSIBLE EFFECTS |
|---|---|---|
| G1 | Minor | Power systemsIt is possible to experience weak power grid fluctuations. Other systems These conditions affect migrating animals; aurora can be seen at high latitudes. |
| G2 | Moderate | Power systems High-latitude power systems can experience voltage alarms. Long-duration storms could cause transformer damage. Other systems HF radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes, and aurora has been seen at 55° geomagnetic lat.. |
| G3 | Strong | Power systemsSometimes voltage corrections are required. False alarms can be triggered by protection devices. Other systems: intermittent satellite navigation and low-frequency radio navigation problems may occur, HF radio may be intermittent, and aurora has been seen at 50° geomagnetic lat.. |
| G4 | Severe | Power systems Possible widespread voltage control problems, and some protective devices will incorrectly trip out key assets from a grid. Other systems induced pipeline currents affect preventive measures, HF radio propagation sporadic, satellite navigation degraded for hours, low-frequency radio navigation disrupted, and aurora has been seen as low at 45° geomagnetic lat.. |
| G5 | Extreme | Power systemsWidespread voltage control problems and problems with the protective system can occur. Some grid systems may experience complete blackouts or collapse. Transformers may experience damage. Other systems Pipeline currents can reach hundreds of amps, HF (high frequency) radio propagation may be impossible in many areas for one to two days, satellite navigation may be degraded for days, low-frequency radio navigation can be out for hours, and aurora has been seen at 40° geomagnetic lat.. |
| SOURCE : Met Office Space | ||