The northern lights might be seen in the UK once more.
The United Kingdom might witness the Northern Lights sooner than expected.
The reason behind it is a massive solar storm recently detected on the Sun's surface.
The recent explosion in space is the largest event in the 11-year solar cycle. It occurred on Tuesday, May 14th, and was even more significant than the one that produced the breathtaking aurora borealis visible in the UK and mainland Europe.
To give perspective on the cosmic explosion, it occurred on a part of the Sun's surface that is 15 times larger than Earth.
Currently, scientists assure us that the solar flare's explosion on the Sun's side not facing Earth will not have any significant impact on our planet.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States doesn't dismiss the possibility of geomagnetic effects on Earth.
The solar flare that occurred last weekend in the US caused significant damage to certain infrastructure, like GPS and power systems. It had the potential to cause chaos and disruption.
NOAA stated briefly that the Sun's activity is still ongoing after the recent X8.7-class flare.
Northern Lights in Scotland. (Getty Stock Image)
Jim Wild, a Space Physics Professor at Lancaster University, mentioned that it is improbable to witness frequent occurrences of the Northern Lights. This is because the ‘coronal mass ejections' from the Sun are propelled away from our planet into space.
However, there is still a glimmer of hope remaining.
Ravindra Desai, an Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Warwick, mentioned to Metro that although the unstable area of the Sun is currently not directed towards Earth, it is expected to shift direction soon.
Dr. Desai, like Professor Wild, emphasized that the solar flare's effects could extend to Earth, resulting in radio blackouts and harm to satellites in orbit.
Last weekend the Northern Lights could be seen right across the UK, including here in Norfolk. (David Tipling/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Dr. Desai provided information about the waiting period to observe the reappearance of the Northern Lights in the UK.
He mentioned that it is important to mention that active region 3664 might last for a period of two weeks or more, and as a result, it will be directed towards the Earth once again.
People trying to capture the Northern Lights in Whitley Bay, near Newcastle, last weekend. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
There is a higher possibility of more strong geomagnetic storms and aurora in the UK in two weeks.
We estimate that the Northern Lights could be visible in the UK again around 28 May. Experts will likely calculate the exact timing as we get closer to the opportunity.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Image/David Tipling/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
