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The largest solar flare since 2017 has been detected emanating from the sun’s surface, with the potential to create a geomagnetic storm that may result in the Northern Lights being visible at higher latitudes. These flares consist of electromagnetic radiation that moves from the sun at the speed of light and can arrive on Earth in about 8 minutes. Most people are unlikely to experience the effects of this solar outburst, although it can disrupt certain radio communications and satellites.
The Northern Lights are not caused by solar flares, but rather by coronal mass ejections that originate from an active sunspot. When combined with flares, these ejections can produce solar storms that interact with Earth’s magnetosphere. The CMEs expel plasma and magnetic fields, as well as up to billions of tons of material, that can collide with Earth. When our magnetosphere repels the storm, it generates the aurora.
Met Office Space Weather Manager Krista Hammond says, “There is the potential for a coronal mass ejection to arrive at Earth late on Friday or early on Saturday, which could lead to visible aurora for Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England.” A second CME is expected to strike Earth on Saturday and Sunday, connected to the X9-graded solar flare.
In the UK, the northern states might see the Northern Lights, while from the mid-west to Oregon, they may be visible in the United States.
As the Sun enters an 11-year cycle known as “solar maximum,” it becomes more active. As Earth enters its active phase, the likelihood of strong geomagnetic storms increases, resulting in a greater possibility of seeing the Aurora Borealis in the coming months. However, researchers can only confirm if solar maximum has occurred six months after the fact, after studying six months of data analyzing the frequency and intensity of sunspots. Predictions now indicate that solar maximum may occur by the end of 2024 or early in 2025.
Meanwhile, BBC Weather presenter Simon King advises that the UK weather conditions do not seem favorable for anyone wanting to spot the aurora this weekend. He explains, “It would only be the northeastern part of Scotland with an occasional gap in the clouds for a brief time. If the activity turns out to be a bit stronger, the best clear skies on Friday night will be more toward central and southern England. Nonetheless, cloudiness might impede views on Saturday night, despite the evening starting with many clear skies.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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