Latest news with #CoronalMassEjections
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Four red alerts issued for Scotland as Northern Lights could be visible TONIGHT
Find out when the best time to see them is DAZZLING DISPLAY Four red alerts issued for Scotland as Northern Lights could be visible TONIGHT SCOTS could be in with the chance of seeing the Northern Lights tonight after four red alerts were issued. The stunning natural phenomenon sees the skies light up with vibrant colours as solar particles react with the Earth's atmosphere. 1 Scots could be in with the chance of seeing the Northern Lights tonight Credit: Alamy The breathtaking celestial display is caused by a geomagnetic storm, where solar wind shockwaves hit the Earth. The lights appear when the sun ejects radiation known as Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). Today, Aurora Watch UK issued four 'red alerts' to indicate that geomagnetic activity is at unusually high levels. The alerts were issued between 9am and 11am and then again at 4pm and 6pm. Aurora Watch UK uses geomagnetic measurements from the SAMNET and AuroraWatchNet magnetometers to detect when aurora is likely to be visible in Scotland and the rest of the UK. Elizabeth J McGrath from Colby College said: "The sun has been very active recently, and we expect it to continue through 2025. "Normally we only see the aurora at locations close to Earth's magnetic north and south poles because charged particles from the sun get trapped by the Earth's magnetic field and funnelled to the poles. "With stronger solar storms during solar maximum, there are more charged particles from the sun, and when these particles interact with Earth's magnetic field, they can be distributed farther from Earth's north and south magnetic poles, reaching more southerly latitudes here on Earth." For those looking to catch a glimpse of the dazzling display in Scotland, the British Geological Survey (BGS) gives their top tips: "The aurora sits 100s of kms up in the sky above the height of the clouds so you'll need cloud-free skies. The sky also needs to be dark. Get away from streetlights. A bright full-moon will also wash out the light from faint aurora. "As the aurora usually sits north of the UK the further north you live in the UK the more chances you will have to see the lights. Those in the north of Scotland may see the aurora fairly often. While those who live in the south of England may see them rarely. Chasing the Northern Lights on Hurtigruten's MS Nordkapp "Try to have a clear view to the north. A coastal location or on top of a hill may be good options to try. During extremely strong displays the aurora might be overhead, or to the south of your location so have a good look around." And there's a prime time to catch the Northern Lights, the BGS says: "Generally, the best chances of seeing the aurora is generally around the hours of local midnight, 10pm - 2am. "However, the aurora may appear any time during the night depending on geomagnetic activity. There is also a seasonal effect with the strongest magnetic storms tending to happen around the spring and autumn equinoxes."
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
Nasa issues blackout warning as massive solar flares erupt from the sun
An X-class solar flare erupted from the Sun, causing a radio blackout across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Here's everything you need to know about solar flares and what they mean A warning has been issued by NASA about an X-class solar flare that erupted from the Sun, resulting in potential radio blackouts. The flare is considered one of the most powerful in recent months and peaked on May 14 at around 8:35 AM (GMT). It has already caused global communication disruptions, with the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) confirming the event's impact. Europe, Asia, and the Middle East bore the brunt of an R3-level radio blackout after the intense X2.7-class flare bombarded Earth's daylight side with a surge of X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation, reports. While the Earth managed to avoid any direct hits from Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) associated with this flare, scientists are keeping a close watch on developments. As experts monitor the X-class solar flare, we've broken down everything you need to know about what it really means.... What is a solar flare? Solar flares are massive eruptions of radiation from the sun that send charged particles outward from the star. They are very common and not all of them travel towards the Earth, but when they do, they have the power to be disruptive. The recent flares this month came from a couple of sunspots, including new sunspot AR4087, which is being pushed round to face Earth by the Sun's rotation, the BBC reports. Sunspots are linked to the arrival of solar flares. According to the US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), some flares can reach speeds of between 250 km and 3,000 km a second. Solar flares are classified by their intensity levels – A, B, C, M, and X - each representing a tenfold increase in emitted energy. C-class is relatively weak, M-class is moderate, and X-class flares are the strongest. Among X-class ones, "an X2 is twice as intense as an X1, an X3 is three times as intense", according to NASA. This current X2.7 flare marks the most powerful flare since March, when the Sun unleashed an X1.2-class flare. What is a CME? Sometimes these flares are accompanied by a massive eruption of solar particles, called a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). Billions of tons of material are lifted off the surface and can explode away from the Sun with the force of around 20 million nuclear explosions. Scientists don't understand what causes CMEs just yet, but they believe that it is related to the Sun's magnetic field. explained: "Because the sun is a fluid, turbulence tends to twist the magnetic field into complex contortions. Twist the field too much, and it kinks, much like a phone cord or toy Slinky. These kinks snap the magnetic field and can potentially drive vast amounts of plasma into space." What are solar storms? Solar storms are made up of high-energy particles unleashed from the sun by explosions on the star's surface. "When directed toward Earth, a solar storm can create a major disturbance in Earth's magnetic field, called a geomagnetic storm," NASA explains. This can lead to radio blackouts and power outages. Researchers have been monitoring solar storms since the 1950s to understand the risk they pose to electrical grids, communication systems, satellites, and air traffic. What has NASA said? On the current X-class solar flare, NASA warned: "Flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts." What else has been said? Vincent Ledvina, an aurora expert, took to X (formerly Twitter) to warn: "This is getting intense, especially as this active region turns closer into view. This same AR just produced an M5.3 flare a few hours ago. What does this AR have planned over the next days ... we'll have to wait and see." While the Met Office noted in a space weather update: "There are currently up to five sunspot regions on the facing side of the Sun, with a new, apparently magnetically unipolar region rotating into view over the southeastern solar horizon." Meanwhile, other observers stated that the sunspot AR4087 could lead to supercharged auroras as it lines up with Earth.
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Northern Lights shimmer in stunning photos over East Midlands
Multi-coloured hues from the Northern Lights illuminated the skies across Nottinghamshire and a backdrop of star-filled skies, BBC Weather Watchers captured a series of spectacular images of the Aurora Borealis on Wednesday, between 22:00 and 23:00 BST.A geomagnetic solar storm strengthened the aurora, bringing it southwards towards the United Northern Lights are caused by the interaction of solar wind - a stream of charged particles escaping the Sun - and our planet's magnetic field and atmosphere. There have been frequent sightings of the aurora in the UK over the last sun is currently at a "maximum" in its 11-year solar means there are lots of sunspots on the surface which are like volcanoes and occasionally erupt. They are also known as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and release extra material and energy out to space. If directed towards Earth, our magnetic field pulls the energy into Earth, entering our atmosphere at the solar winds are likely on 20 April, according to the Met Office Space Weather forecast, meaning "active" intervals are possible.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern Lights dazzle over West of England
The Northern Lights lit up the skies across parts of the West of England on Wednesday night. BBC Weather Watchers shared photos of the enchanting sight, known as aurora borealis, in Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire between 21:00 and 23:00 BST. It could be seen after a "severe geomagnetic storm", reaching level four out of five on the geomagnetic storm scale, according to AuroraWatch UK. BBC Weather reported the aurora was enhanced due to the strength of the storm, and could be seen across southern England. It comes after a vibrant display was seen across Scotland on Tuesday, meaning for two nights in a row the spectacle shone across the UK. BBC Weather added more sightings in the coming weeks and months are possible as solar activity remains high. There have been frequent sightings of the aurora in the UK over the last year. The sun is currently at a "maximum" in its 11-year solar cycle. This means there are lots of sunspots on the surface which are like volcanoes and occasionally erupt. They are also known as Coronal Mass Ejections (CME's) and release extra material and energy out to space. If directed towards Earth, our magnetic field pulls the energy into Earth, entering our atmosphere at the poles. Fast solar winds are likely on 20 April, according to the Met Office Space Weather forecast, meaning "active" intervals are possible. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Northern Lights shine unusually far south across the UK Why the Northern Lights are enhanced around the equinox What are the Northern Lights? Glastonbury had 'palpable energy' under Northern Lights
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Northern Lights dazzle over West of England in stunning display
The Northern Lights lit up the skies across parts of the West of England on Wednesday Weather Watchers shared photos of the enchanting sight, known as aurora borealis, in Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire between 21:00 and 23:00 could be seen after a "severe geomagnetic storm", reaching level four out of five on the geomagnetic storm scale, According to AuroraWatch Weather reported the aurora was enhanced due to the strength of the storm, and could be seen across southern England. It comes after a vibrant display was seen across Scotland on Tuesday, meaning for two nights in a row the spectacle shone across the Weather added more sightings in the coming weeks and months are possible as solar activity remains high. There have been frequent sightings of the aurora in the UK over the last sun is currently at a "maximum" in its 11-year solar means there are lots of sunspots on the surface which are like volcanoes and occasionally erupt. They are also known as Coronal Mass Ejections (CME's) and release extra material and energy out to space. If directed towards Earth, our magnetic field pulls the energy into Earth, entering our atmosphere at the solar winds are likely on 20 April, according to the Met Office Space Weather forecast, meaning "active" intervals are possible.
