Normally only visible from the northern British Isles, the magnificent Aurora Borealis was visible overnight over much of the United Kingdom, including Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and, remarkably, southern England.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States issued its first severe solar storm warning since 2005 yesterday as a massive geomagnetic storm accelerated toward Earth, setting off the show.
According to the NOAA, Earth was struck by the strongest and most violent geomagnetic storm, known as a G5, on Thursday. This storm carries the potential to disrupt electricity grids, GPS, and communications.
When charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere near the magnetic poles, aurora displays result.
Observations of the amazing show were made throughout the northern US, Canada, Ireland, and Northern Europe.
