The UK and parts of Europe witnessed a remarkable display of the Northern Lights caused by an ‘extreme’ class 5 geomagnetic storm, closely related to the current peak of Solar Maximum.
On May 11, 2024, the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, were visible across the UK and parts of Europe as a result of a powerful solar storm. This geomagnetic phenomenon was observed in multiple locations including Sussex, Whitley Bay, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Liverpool, and Kent in the UK, as well as in central European countries like the Czech Republic and Germany.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration attributed the vivid display to a class 5 “extreme” geomagnetic storm, the most intense since a similar event in October 2003. The Northern Lights, which occurred due to the interaction of charged particles with Earth’s atmosphere, showcased a spectrum of colors from green to pink and scarlet.
Such geomagnetic storms are known for their potential to disrupt power grids, communications, and GPS systems. Social media reactions highlighted the awe-inspiring nature of the lights with some users describing the experience as profoundly moving.
Experts, including space weather physicist Tamitha Skov, suggest that additional displays may be possible in the coming days due to more Earth-directed coronal mass ejections. The current Solar Maximum, a peak phase in the Sun’s 11-year solar activity cycle, suggests a likelihood of continued solar storms and associated auroras.
Meteorologists are keeping a close watch on conditions, with expectations that the Northern Lights may again be visible in certain UK locations on the following Saturday night.
