Strongest Solar Storm In 19 Years Ignites Spectacular Northern Lights Show Across US And Europe
A dazzling display of the Northern Lights, sparked by a powerful solar storm, graced the skies over the United Kingdom, enchanting observers with its ethereal beauty. Forecasted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s?Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) as the most potent event since 2003, this celestial phenomenon left Britons in awe across various regions.
Northern Lights spectacle across countries??
From?Scotland's?serene hills to the bustling streets of London, Wales, and England, the?UK's?night sky became a canvas for this mesmerizing spectacle.?
Experts noted that while the Northern Lights are typically visible around the poles, the collision of electrically charged particles from the sun with?Earth's?magnetic field resulted in an even more spectacular display than usual.?
The interaction of these particles with gases in the atmosphere produced a vibrant palette of?colors?across the sky.
A rare alert issued by NOAA on Thursday forewarned of the solar?storm's?impact, expected to persist until the weekend.?
The Space Weather Prediction Center emphasized the potential for a remarkable aurora display, with a space scientist stating to CBS News,?"If you happen to be in an area that is dark, cloud-free, and relatively free from light pollution, you may witness a rather impressive aurora display. This celestial gift from space weather is truly the aurora."
Additionally, individuals in the United States, stretching as far south as Alabama and Northern California, may also have the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights this weekend.
Witnesses from locations such as Western France, Tuscany, Liverpool, and various other regions shared accounts of this breathtaking celestial phenomenon.
Formation and impact of Northern Lights??
Explaining the formation of the Northern Lights,?it was highlighted?that the particles released during solar storms bring a wave of electrical charges towards?Earth's?atmosphere.?
When these high-speed particles,?travelling?at?three million miles per hour,?collided?with the upper atmosphere, Northern Lights?are formed?across the Arctic Circle.
However, amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Northern Lights lies a sobering reality.?NOAA's?advisory warned of the impacts of geomagnetic storms on?Earth's?infrastructure. These storms?have the potential to?disrupt communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio, and satellite operations.?
The advisory stated,?"Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on?Earth¡¯s?surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio, and satellite operations."
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