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In recent days, the skies above Devon, Cornwall, and the Channel Islands have been illuminated by the Northern Lights on two separate occasions. This breathtaking natural phenomenon has captivated viewers in the region, offering vivid displays of neon pink and green hues reflected beautifully in coastal waters. Such striking appearances of the aurora are linked to solar activity, which experts have been keen to explain in greater detail.
According to Elaine Mahy from the Astronomy Section of La Societe Guernesiaise, the cause of these lights is Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) erupting from the Sun’s surface. These ejections are bursts of charged particles thrown out into space, with their frequency increasing near what is known as the solar maximum. During this peak period of the sunspot cycle, more sunspots, solar flares, and CMEs occur. When CMEs reach Earth, they interact with its magnetic field and atmosphere, creating the colorful Northern Lights that have recently been visible further south than usual.
The sun operates on an approximately 11-year solar cycle, moving from one maximum of activity to another, which is tracked by counting the sunspots on its surface. Mahy notes that stronger cycles tend to be shorter in duration, whereas weaker cycles last a little longer. Despite ongoing research, predicting the exact timing of these peaks and troughs remains challenging. Presently, we are experiencing a robust period of solar activity, contributing to the intensified geomagnetic storms responsible for auroral displays.
Looking ahead, BBC South West’s senior meteorologist David Braine explained that solar cycle 25 is anticipated to reach its peak in 2025 or 2026. Data from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests this cycle will resemble the previous one, with a maximum occurring now and a deep, prolonged solar minimum expected in about five years. This means that while spectacular auroras may continue for some time, the next significant peak in solar activity might not arrive until around 2037. To enhance one’s chances of witnessing the Northern Lights in the South West, it is best to seek out dark sky locations such as West Penwith International Dark Sky Park, Exmoor National Park, or Dartmoor National Park, and to keep an eye on space weather alerts
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