PARTS of the UK caught a glimpse of the Northern Lights last night as a powerful solar storm is expected to reach Earth TODAY.
This is thanks to a Coronal Mass Ejection, a massive burst of material from the sun which can cause a phenomenon known as a geomagnetic storm, which interferes with the Earth's magnetic field.
According to the US Space Weather Prediction Centre, the event could result in power grid fluctuations as well as "orientation irregularities" for spacecraft. Aurora may be visible as low as New York, to Wisconsin and Washington state.
The UK Met Office has said there is a slight chance of moderate class flares above it's skies too, although cloud is likely to block the view for some.
"Aurora is possible through 11th and 12th across much of Scotland, although cloud amounts are increasing, meaning sightings are unlikely for most," the Met Office said.
"There is a slight chance of aurora reaching the far north of England and Northern Ireland tonight, but cloud breaks and therefore sightings are more likely in Northern Ireland."
In the US, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has put the storm at category G2, which the agency defines as moderate in strength.
Read our Northern Lights/Solar Storm live blog for the latest updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Weak radio signals in depths of space could indicate existence of aliens
WEAK radio signals in the depths of space could indicate the existence of aliens.
The sounds, detected by the world’s most powerful telescope, appear to be from hidden planets.
Astronomers picked up signals from 19 red dwarf stars 165 light years away, with four thought to have planets orbiting them — possibly home to alien life.
Australia’s Dr Benjamin Pope said: “It is the first time radio signals from planets outside our solar system have been picked up.
“This could potentially lead to the discovery of planets throughout the galaxy.”
Read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
What do scientists say about solar storms?
Scientists have warned that the Earth is due for a major solar storm within the next century.
A 2019 study showed that the sun is capable of producing volleys of solar radiation, which have been dubbed "superflares".
Just one of the superflares could wipe out all technology on Earth – potentially causing trillions of pounds worth of damage and plunging the planet into chaos.
Lead expert Dr Yuta Notsu, from the University of Colorado, Boulder, said: "Our study shows that superflares are rare events.
"But there is some possibility that we could experience such an event in the next 100 years or so."
A superflare could wreak havoc across the world – depleting the ozone layer, exposing airline passengers to high radiation and loss of radio contact.
Experts have even suggested it could lead to a "low-level extinction event".
- Joseph Gamp
Solar storms can be dangerous for astronauts
As well as causing issues for our tech on Earth, they can be deadly for an astronaut if they result in injury or interfere with mission control communications.
Scientists classify strong solar flares into one of three categories: C, M or X (with A and B classes, too, for weaker eruptions).
There's a tenfold increase in power from one class to the next, so an X flare is 10 times stronger than an M flare, and 100 times more powerful than a C.However, minor flares really have no impact on Earth at all while those in the M category can create brief radio blackouts at the poles and small storms.
- Joseph Gamp
How does a solar storm effect Earth?
A solar flare has the ability to disturb the Earth's atmosphere, disrupting radio signals, power grids and causing a shift in auroras.
The October 2021 category G2 geomagnetic storm is regarded as "moderately strong", prompting warnings it could cause major issues with power supplies.
It could impact Earth from around 5pm BST (12pm ET) today, according to both the Met Office and the US's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
It could also disrupt satellite signals, which may experience "orientation irregularities".
The Earth's magnetic field helps to protect us from the more extreme consequences of solar flares.
- Joseph Gamp
What do solar storms look like?
When a solar storm strikes it usually creates a spectacular “Northern Lights” display in parts of the atmosphere that can be seen in areas close to the Arctic Circle.
As the solar flare heads towards the Earth, it brings the aurora to lower latitudes, allowing the stunning green hue to become visible from the UK.
The solar storms cause bright, colourful dancing lights in white, green, pink and purple that illuminate the sky and are considered an incredible sight.
Colour variations occur when different types of gas particles collide with the charged particles. The most common colour for the aurora is green, which is created when oxygen molecules about 60 miles above the ground react with the particles, whereas nitrogen causes a blue or purple hue.
The lights are best witnessed around the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres and they are called the “Aurora Australis” or “southern lights” in the south.
- Joseph Gamp
What is a solar storm?
Also known as a geomagnetic storm, it is a temporary disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field, caused by radiation and streams of charged particles from the sun.
The storms occur when the sun emits huge bursts of energy and a flash of increased brightness in the form of solar flares and what are known as “coronal mass ejections” (CME) – streams of charged plasma that travel at millions of miles an hour.
These send a stream of electrical charges and magnetic fields towards the Earth at a speed of around 3,000mph.
Scientists have discovered that the frequency of solar flares appears to follow an 11-year solar cycle. The Earth is currently at the start of a new cycle.
- Joseph Gamp
Recap of recent space news
In other news, three entirely new lifeforms were recently discovered at different locations onboard the International Space Station.
Nasa has announced that it is accepting applications for wannabe space explorers who wish to fire their names to the Red Planet.
And, the Perseverance Mars rover has revealed stunning video and audio recordings from the surface of the Red Planet.
- Joseph Gamp
What do scientists say about solar storms?
Scientists have warned that the Earth is due for a major solar storm within the next century.
A 2019 study showed that the sun is capable of producing volleys of solar radiation, which have been dubbed "superflares".
Just one of the superflares could wipe out all technology on Earth – potentially causing trillions of pounds worth of damage and plunging the planet into chaos.
Lead expert Dr Yuta Notsu, from the University of Colorado, Boulder, said: "Our study shows that superflares are rare events.
"But there is some possibility that we could experience such an event in the next 100 years or so."
A superflare could wreak havoc across the world – depleting the ozone layer, exposing airline passengers to high radiation and loss of radio contact.
Experts have even suggested it could lead to a "low-level extinction event".
- Joseph Gamp
Weaker solar flares can causes auroras such as the Northern Lights
Weaker solar flares are responsible for auroras like the Northern Lights.
Those natural light displays are examples of the Earth's magnetosphere getting bombarded by solar wind, which creates the pretty green and blue displays.
The sun is currently at the start of a new 11 year solar cycle, which usually sees eruptions and flares grow more intense and extreme.
These events are expected to peak around 2025 and it's hoped the Solar Orbiter will observe them all as it aims to fly within 26 million miles of the sun.
- Joseph Gamp
Find out more about science with The Sun
Want to know more about the weird and wonderful world of science?
From the Moon to the human body, we have you covered…
- When is the next Full Moon?
- What is a Super Moon?
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- Where is the edge of space?
- How many bones are in the human body?
- How many chromosomes do humans have?
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- What are the conspiracy theories about the world ending?
- All the UFO sightings and whether aliens are real
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UK Met Office: Event should only cause moderate storms
The UK Met Office says the event should only cause "minor to moderate geomagnetic storms".
It said: "Minor storms may continue into 12 October, before a fast wind from a coronal hole may arrive, perhaps continuing the rather active period of geomagnetic activity.
"Aurora is possible through 11th across much of Scotland, although cloud amounts are increasing, meaning sightings are unlikely.
"There is a slight chance of aurora reaching the far north of England and Northern Ireland tonight, but cloud breaks and therefore sightings are more likely in Northern Ireland."
US on 'moderate storm watch' today
In an update yesterday, the Space Weather Prediction Centre said the moderate geomagnetic storm watch continues for today (October 12, 2021).
The experts added: "Aurora can often be observed somewhere on Earth from just after sunset or just before sunrise. The aurora is not visible during daylight hours, [it] does not need to be directly overhead but can be observed from as much as a 1,000km away when the aurora is bright and if conditions are right.
"The aurora is an indicator of the current geomagnetic storm conditions and provides situational awareness for a number of technologies. [It] directly impacts high frequency radio communication and GPS/GNSS satellite navigation.
"It is closely related to the ground induce currents that impact electric power transition.
"For many people, the aurora is a beautiful nighttime phenomenon that is worth travelling to Arctic regions just to observe. It is the only way for most people to actually experience space weather."
Quebec once lost power for nine hours due to solar flare
Solar flares can affect communication by disrupting radio signals.
In 1989, a strong solar eruption shot so many electrically charged particles at Earth that the Canadian Province of Quebec lost power for nine hours.
As well as causing issues for our tech on Earth, they can be deadly for an astronaut if they result in injury or interfere with mission control communications.
The Earth's magnetic field helps to protect us from the more extreme consequences of solar flares.
Solar storm last caused UK disruption 150 years ago
Forecaster Tom Kerss says the solar storm "probably has pockets of enhanced energy in it so it could spike in performance every so often.
He said: "And that means that it's quite possible that auroras will actually reach down into the north of England and maybe as far south as somewhere like Belfast or Omagh – not terribly far south. But they might just become visible over the sea from anybody that has a north-facing view across the north of England."
He added that the chance of disruption to the UK is low due to space weather forecasting and electrical engineering.
"We wouldn't expect to lose power or have any transformers explode or anything with a storm of this magnitude.
"But it is possible for solar super storms like one that occurred about 150 years ago to cause widespread disruption – we're just sort of lucky it hasn't happened yet."
Aurora 'likely to cover Scotland tonight' – Met Office
The Met Office said that the Aurora was "likely to occur over much of Scotland and perhaps extend into northern England and Northern Ireland tonight.
A spokesman said: "For many in these areas it will be too cloudy but there are some spots in with a chance."
The agency added: "Aurora is possible through 11th and 12th across much of Scotland, although cloud amounts are increasing, meaning sightings are unlikely for most."
- Joseph Gamp
Expert urges Brits to look despite poor weather conditions
Tom Kerss, astronomer and author of Northern Lights: The definitive guide to Auroras, urged people to still have a look despite the heavy cloud forecast.
He said: "Unfortunately I think cloud cover is going to be a bit of an issue for Scotland but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't have a go if you have any clear patches at all."
- Joseph Gamp
Brits witness skies lit up by Northern Lights
Julie Calderwood Fitzsimmons said from Orkney that she had been "Aurora watching for a few hours now and all we can see is a green glow at the other side of the clouds. Our watch continues!"
Meanwhile Birmingham resident Daniel Tonks shared some dazzling photos of the Northern Lights from Iceland.
Dr Beth Keith said she "drove the kids out to the peaks to stare at a very cloudy sky" before heading back to Sheffield, where the only Northern Lights "we’re seeing tonight" were blanked out by the dark, cloud-filled sky.
- Joseph Gamp
Scottish teacher shares photos of night sky
From Kirkwall in Scotland, a primary school teacher who works in Orkney shared four photos of the night sky.
Miss H Pinner tweeted that there was a "definite Aurora glow" while she was searching for the Northern Lights above her house.
She tweeted: "Not the best but taken using my phone & with hands that aren't the steadiest without it being cold!
"But there was definite #Aurora glow #NorthernLights not bad for 10 minute walk from the house!"
- Joseph Gamp
Solar event could result in US 'power grid fluctuations'
According to the US Space Weather Prediction Centre, the solar event could result in power grid fluctuations as well as "orientation irregularities" for spacecraft.
It happens when a massive burst of material from the sun causes a phenomenon known as a geomagnetic storm, which interferes with the Earth's magnetic field.
The solar storm is caused by a type of solar flare called a coronal mass ejection – a huge expulsion of plasma from the Sun's outer layer, called the corona.
- Joseph Gamp
Northern Lights brought stunning night time display to Brits
BRITS have spotted the Northern Lights as geomagnetic storms brought a stunning night time display.
Eyes were cast upwards to glowing skies above parts of England's north, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
However for other areas, cloud is likely to block the green hue of auroras sparked by the huge solar storm.
Read more here.
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