The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center in the United States has recently issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch, marking the first such alert since January 2005. This announcement suggests a rare opportunity for witnessing the Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, across the entirety of the UK.
The phenomenon stems from a colossal sunspot, an expansive area of heightened solar activity spanning 16 times the diameter of Earth. Within this sunspot, a series of solar flares and intricate coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are presently hurtling towards Earth, expected to reach our planet by Friday night with potential visibility extending into Saturday night.
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) represent eruptions of plasma and magnetic energy from the sun’s corona. Upon reaching Earth, they instigate geomagnetic storms, which manifest as the mesmerizing Aurora. The intensity and southern reach of these geomagnetic storms determine the extent of visibility.
While offering a spectacular celestial display, intense geomagnetic storms also pose potential disruptions to communication systems, power grids, navigation tools, radio transmissions, and satellite operations, both in near-Earth orbit and on the Earth’s surface.
For those eager to witness the Aurora, certain strategies can enhance the viewing experience:
- Orientation: Direct your gaze towards the northern horizon, where the Aurora tends to manifest. Although it might not be directly overhead, the spectacle often dances across the northern sky.|
- Equipment: While visible to the naked eye, cameras are adept at capturing the Aurora’s intricate details. Allow your eyes to adjust for at least 10 minutes to optimize viewing, or utilize cameras for enhanced clarity.|
- Location: Opt for dark, open spaces devoid of light pollution. Fields, parks, or remote areas offering unobstructed views of the northern horizon provide ideal viewing conditions.
- Patience: Aurora viewing demands patience and persistence, as displays can be sporadic, even during periods of heightened activity. Remain flexible with your plans and be prepared to wait for extended durations.|
- Photography: Employ cameras with manual settings and tripods for capturing long exposures, experimenting with various settings to achieve optimal results.
- Timing: Plan to stay up late or wake up early, as Auroras are typically most active during late evening to early morning hours.
The science underlying the Aurora involves the interaction of charged particles from the sun, predominantly electrons and protons, colliding with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, particularly oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions emit light at different wavelengths, producing vibrant displays of color such as curtains, arcs, or bands of light. The specific hues depend on the type of gas particles involved and the altitude at which the collisions occur, with greens, reds, blues, and purples arising from distinct interactions.