Last weekend, the Earth's sky was graced with an extraordinary display of the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis. This natural phenomenon, which is caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with Earth's atmosphere, lit up skies across various parts of the world (1). Experts predict that conditions are primed for more such displays in the near future due to our sun entering what is known as 'solar maximum,' a phase in its 11-year cycle when its activity is strongest (2)(3).
Last weekend's Northern Lights were not only a sight to behold but also an unexpected one, as they were visible even in regions with southern latitudes such as the UK and Europe (4). This was due to clear skies and the arrival of the charged particles overnight (4).
The solar storm that caused last weekend's Northern Lights was a significant one. It was triggered by multiple solar flares, which combined into a massive burst of solar plasma, resulting in an intense geomagnetic storm (1)(5). The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that this event received a G5 alert rating, the highest designation given by forecasters for such occurrences (1).
The northern lights are not a new phenomenon. They have been observed and documented since the Colonial era (3). The last major display occurred in 2003, which was described as a once-in-30-year event by experts (1). However, with our sun entering solar maximum, we can expect to witness more such displays over the next few years (2)(3).
The northern lights are not limited to specific regions. They have been reported in various parts of the world including Michigan in the US (2), Whitley Bay on the north-east coast of the UK (4), Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Wokingham in Berkshire (4), Suffolk, Kent, Hampshire, and Liverpool (4).
Experts advise that while we can expect to see more northern lights displays over the next few years due to solar maximum, predicting exactly when and where they will occur remains a challenge. Even the best predictions can only accurately be made a few days or even hours in advance (2).
