Britain to see Northern Lights as ‘severe’ solar storm may hit Earth

A potentially intense solar storm is poised to offer a spectacular view of the Northern Lights across Britain.

Scientists have expressed concerns that this “severe” geomagnetic storm, the first in nearly two decades, could disrupt GPS satellites, mobile networks, and power grids, as reported by the Daily Mail.

This unusual phenomenon is expected to blanket a significant portion of the country with an “aurora,” a dazzling display of lights. Even stargazers in Cornwall, as far south as it gets, may witness this event, according to the Met Office.

Following a series of solar flares on Wednesday, multiple bursts of solar radiation have now coalesced into a single wave expected to impact Earth tonight.

The vibrant colors of the aurora result from collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun and the Earth’s magnetic field.

Typically, the Sun releases enough plasma to create auroras primarily near the poles where the magnetic fields are strongest. However, during events known as “coronal mass ejections,” the Sun expels enormous waves of plasma from its corona, its outermost layer.

Notably, on Thursday, NOAA issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for the first time since January 2005.

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