The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, have dazzled sky-watchers across the Northern Hemisphere with their rare displays, visible even from Germany, Scotland, Ireland and the southern coast of England.
This extraordinary event coincides with one of the strongest geomagnetic storms in years, prompting the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to issue a rare solar storm warning. The increased solar activity, linked to an abundance of sunspots as part of the Sun’s 11-year cycle, enhances the chances of observing the aurora more frequently and vividly.
Typically, the Northern Lights are a common spectacle in northern parts of the UK, but recent events have brought them into more southern skies. The last extreme geomagnetic disturbance similar to Friday’s occurred back in 2003, underscoring the rarity of such powerful displays. NOAA has indicated that these storms could potentially disrupt satellite communications and power grids, though no disruptions have been reported so far.
This celestial phenomenon continues to capture the imagination and the lenses of many, thanks to better forecasts and the widespread use of smartphones for capturing these awe-inspiring moments.
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