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.

  • Daniel Quinn@lemmy.caEnglish
    3·
    6 months ago

    It says it’ll hit “overnight”, but surely in 2024 we can be more accurate than that?

    • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝@feddit.ukOPEnglish
      6·
      6 months ago

      Geomagnetic activity is already spiking and articles say it could be visible Friday and Saturday night, so “overnight” means all night but they reckon just after sunset and just before dawn should be the best displays.

      edit: the Met Office video suggests 22:00 is a good time.