Latest News

Dazzling northern lights illuminate skies in Europe as ‘extreme’ solar storm hits Earth

Strong solar storm brings northern lights

An unusually powerful solar storm hit Earth and brought dazzling northern lights across the globe, including North America, Europe, Australia, and some parts of Asia.

This solar storm is reportedly the strongest in 20 years after the latest one in 2003. According to Associated Press, there were no immediate reports of disruptions to power and communications.

The lights are likely to persist for a few days.

Strong solar storm strikes Earth on Friday

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center said the solar storm struck Earth on Friday (10 May).

Later, it was upgraded to an ‘extreme’ G5-level geomagnetic storm, the most severe since the Halloween storms of 2003, which had resulted in blackouts in Sweden and damage to power infrastructure in South Africa.

NOAA also noted that the storm could produce the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, as far south as Alabama and Northern California.

Source: @AridianVR on Twitter

The Guardian reported that the aurora borealis sightings were seen in many parts of the United Kingdom (UK), including Essex, Cambridgeshire, Berkshire, Suffolk, and Liverpool, as well as in Ireland.

This has led many excited onlookers to share stunning pictures of the lights.

Source: @mstebbins23 on Twitter

The UK Met Office said that many regions across Asia, Europe, and North America could likely see the northern lights if skies during the night are dark and clear enough.

G5 storm could disrupt communications & power grids

During geomagnetic storms, magnetic fields can create electric currents in long wires like power lines, which can cause power outages. Additionally, long pipelines may also get electrically charged, causing technical issues.

 

“Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations,” NOAA said.

Officials alerted satellite operators, airlines, and the power grid to prepare for possible disruptions, said Channel News Asia (CNA).

However, the storm’s radiation cannot pass through Earth’s atmosphere to directly harm humans on the ground.

Also read: Eta Aquarids meteor shower to illuminate S’pore sky, likely most visible on 6 May

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from @AridianVR on Twitter and @mstebbins23 on Twitter.

 

Thanawut Fasaisirinan

When faced with boredom, Bank lets the notes of music and the pull of gaming fill the empty hours.

Recent Posts

2.9M eligible S’poreans to receive Assurance Package payouts from 5 Dec

Link NRIC to PayNow to receive the payouts early.

14 Nov 2024, 11:59 am

Car crashes into woman crossing Orchard Road during green traffic light, sends her flying

A 67-year-old taxi driver is assisting with the police investigation.

14 Nov 2024, 11:45 am

‘The girls will not feel safe’: Parents of S’pore Sports School students in deepfake nude photo scandal demand harsher punishment

The school has lodged a police report and police investigations are ongoing.

14 Nov 2024, 10:36 am

Water supply cut off at Woodlands block for more than 1 day, residents shower at swimming pool

Residents queued to collect water from taps in the void deck or PUB water wagons.

14 Nov 2024, 2:15 am

URL on ‘Wicked’ dolls’ packaging links to porn site, Mattel apologises for misprint

The misprinted boxes are now coveted items on eBay.

13 Nov 2024, 6:30 pm

‘It suits you’: Daughter in Thailand asks for car, dad gets her tuk tuk instead

And she named her new purple ride after a popular Thai rum.

13 Nov 2024, 6:01 pm