The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, were visible across the UK and as far south as France last weekend due to a severe solar storm, the first category G5 geomagnetic storm since 2003. Dr. Greg Brown from the Royal Observatory Greenwich indicated that the sun's current intense activity might lead to more visible auroras soon, with a potential new solar storm on the horizon.
Experts mention that this period of heightened solar activity is part of the sun's typical 11-year activity cycle, which is approaching its peak, expected around July 2025. Though precise predictions of solar storms are challenging due to the sun’s unpredictable nature, the conditions for more Northern Lights displays remain favorable.
The Met Office noted a smaller solar event occurring soon, which could allow auroras to be seen again, though less intensely than recent displays and likely obscured by weather in many places.
The aurora borealis results from charged particles from the sun striking Earth's atmosphere, leading to colorful displays primarily in high-latitude regions. This natural phenomenon typically shows greens, pinks, and occasionally reds depending on the gases involved.
Photographers often capture more vivid images of the aurora than what can be seen with the naked eye, thanks to longer exposure times that collect more light and detail.