Last week, a massive solar storm generated stunning aurora displays visible across the world, including the UK, Canada, and as far south as the Florida Keys. The storm, which occurred on May 10-11, was the strongest since 2003 and produced an X8.6 flare. The event strained power grids in many US cities but provided valuable data for scientists. The storm is part of a period of increased solar activity, with experts predicting more intense solar events as the sun approaches its peak activity in July next year. The Northern Lights are expected to be visible again in the UK this weekend, with a red alert issued for sightings. Scientists warn that future solar storms could be even more powerful, posing significant risks to technology and infrastructure.
NEW - ‘Danger behind the beauty’: more solar storms could be heading our way https://t.co/5oWpk4ANuw https://t.co/LzgKIpMIw0
Tourists normally have to pay big money and brave cold climates for a chance to see an aurora, but last weekend people around the world simply had to look up to see these colorful displays in the sky. However, behind powerful #solarstorms, a threat lurks. https://t.co/V1ANaO3fuv
Northern lights could return to Britain early next month, BBC reports It’s because the sun is going through something called solar maximum!
SOLAR STORM will likely repeat (at lower intensity) when the sun completes 27-day rotation - providing another chance to watch the aurora: https://t.co/80lFDZHEeN
"Danger Behind Beauty": More Solar Storms Could Be Heading Our Way https://t.co/4NHm4EnSNt
There is an increased likelihood of solar storms similar to the 'extreme' Mother's Day weekend storm that brought Aurora to South Africa, as the sun heads toward its expected peak activity in July next year. | @brederode00 https://t.co/IXH1YrJoEQ
Race against time: How scientists tracked the strongest solar storm to hit Earth #scientists #earth #time #space | @imsktripathi https://t.co/tNOnuCFLJL
Race against time: How scientists tracked the strongest solar storm to hit Earth #scientists #earth #time #space https://t.co/tNOnuCFLJL
For those charged with protecting Earth from powerful solar storms such as the recent one that caused stunning auroras, a threat lurks beneath the colourful displays. https://t.co/0kEpslIuvM
More Northern Lights soon as Sun storms strengthen. https://t.co/qeUyLcxCov
Another unseen shot taken last Friday night. Instead of looking northward over the water, the aurora was brightest in the southeast sky. That's a testament to the ferocity of that geomagnetic storm. You could see the lights in most every direction, which is exceptionally rare. https://t.co/AbuIHtX8r3
One week ago this hour: bright northern lights were overhead in southern Virginia. Some of my real-time video while watching the show with @darin_deveauWX https://t.co/r7icx3slKm
One week ago 🌌 🙌🏻📱#AuroraBorealis https://t.co/3XtSxadcH8
This X8.7-class flare was the strongest seen so far in this solar cycle, and stronger than anything from the Sun in more than 6 years. https://t.co/z5ArbpqvXd
More Northern Lights soon as Sun storms strengthen https://t.co/Q7vvTWxwau
Do you remember seeing the Northern Lights last week? How could we forget such a beautiful sight to see? Kate Dibildox shot this amazing photo of the Northern Lights covering part of the Milky Way. 😍🌵 https://t.co/vd1klCtOFg
Scientist warns more powerful solar eruptions could hit Earth in 2025 - and cause the worst geomagnetic storm in 165 years https://t.co/BGRAoROU9s https://t.co/3SpR2KjIfC
Tonight marks one week since our generational northern lights display. To celebrate, here's a shot I took that hasn't been seen by anyone but me. Taken overlooking Lake Ontario from Webster. Hope you enjoy! https://t.co/ojErCDQjAS
A "red alert" notice has been issued for seeing the Northern Lights across UK skies THIS weekend. https://t.co/fdmQbMuKTw
🌌✨ A breathtaking display of nature's beauty! Check out these stunning photos of last weekend's Aurora Borealis display captured by our followers across Canada. #ShareYourWeather Thank you! 📸 https://t.co/U9vkNwIyme
Gorgeous sunset pics from our @BBCWthrWatchers this evening😍 https://t.co/CGUuq6L9fs
Northern lights visible in Poland tonight... https://t.co/A7f0m4YxWR
Did you miss the aurora borealis last week? Experts say there will be more opportunities https://t.co/VUA1d6ymZX
BREAKING Northern Lights 'red alert' issued for UK with 'best place' to catch glimpse https://t.co/ZoG0WIcKCv
Northern Lights 'red alert' issued for UK with 'best place' to catch glimpse https://t.co/c9N8GjqkWO
Earlier this month, we experienced the strongest solar storm to reach Earth in two decades. The Sun's solar flares gave us a brilliant light show of auroras—but also provided valuable data for our @NASASun scientists: https://t.co/9SC1bL9OPF https://t.co/WToxLCSqZF
Northern lights 'red alert' as experts say they could be visible tonight https://t.co/5dlAnDvdyN https://t.co/feMCZsYrzT
Space weather! Looking active again. Bz fluctuating, aurora probability oval looking red again. HF radio propagation rather poor again as well. @RyanVoutilainen @eschecter @CadiereGerald @drmna_info @SWRadiogram @bobmackin @bc_news_addict https://t.co/ZYBjTxMyIU
Tonight marks one week since the generational northern lights display. While geomagnetic conditions have since settled, it's a fascinating look back at just how wild things got that night. Seen below, NOAA satellites captured imagery of the auroral oval from the vantage point… https://t.co/AcKIhPmcht
Did you see the aurora? 🤩 Citizen scientists with @NASA’s Aurorasaurus project, which tracks aurora sightings, took these photos on May 10-11, 2024 during a geomagnetic storm that @noaa reports is the most extreme since 2003. https://t.co/q3Aid3vxTo https://t.co/4Itmr92ZZc
The massive solar storm that delivered impressive aurora views around the world last week also strained the power grids in many US cities. Are we prepared for more? 🔗🌌🎇🌞: https://t.co/7kxPAYY1H7 https://t.co/SiA2zMcIqY
Plus: AI knew the solar storm was coming https://t.co/SROOv0r8xM
NASA wants to see your photos of the aurora lights from last weekend. https://t.co/SzeSENVp7g
Last week’s dazzling geomagnetic storm may just be the start of a period of more intense solar activity, @hellococomo and colleagues explain at @climate: https://t.co/F2AKoepCnJ https://t.co/6D3q20nohA
The massive solar storm that delivered impressive aurora views around the world also strained the power grids in many US cities. Are we prepared for more? https://t.co/OjM3GWGHWh
From the US government's Space Weather and Safety site, https://t.co/msZscSwhv1. In essence, given that aurora were seen beyond the limits named here, May 10-11 was a monster geomagnetic storm, and technology impacts were less than anticipated. @50ShadesofVan @TamithaSkov https://t.co/FYgdHnVu7a
"May 10th was definitely a 'Great Storm,'" declares Hisashi Hayakawa, space weather researcher at Japan's Nagoya University. "Naked-eye auroras in New Caledonia (MLAT = -26.4°) and Puerto Rico (MLAT = 27.2°) cracked the latitude barrier in both of Earth's hemispheres."
The most dramatic solar storm in decades wasn't only notable for the gorgeous colors seen in the sky -- it's also a way for scientists to learn about the sun. https://t.co/SoTNqEr12a
NEW - Worse solar storm ahead, scientists say it would be difficult to cope: report https://t.co/3gdOU3v241
On the night of 10 May, coronal mass ejections energized Earth’s magnetic fields enough to generate aurorae at latitudes as low as the Florida Keys—and took scientists’ breath away with their combined intensity. Read more in this week’s News at a glance. https://t.co/wqucHFpaRh
After causing the dazzling waves of aurora borealis this past weekend, our Sun wasn't done yet! 🌞😎 The Sun released the strongest flare of the current solar cycle on Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction… https://t.co/AXcxCcQOUa
Still some sunspot activity…nothing like last week which gave us the Northern Lights in the south. BUT…you never know. Looks like just around the curve on the left, something is up! @AlConklin @wxbrad https://t.co/ggZnJZjEEz
It's being suggested that Solar Maximum could be next year which might mean there's a good chance of last Friday night's Auroral event being repeated.
Northern Lights 2024: Here’s When You May See The Next Aurora Borealis https://t.co/4Hrod1eemf https://t.co/wRILWLsdua
Some of your #BBCWeatherWatchers photos from across Scotland today. https://t.co/3NMvBYpqZz
Mars bracing for global auroral display from AR3664, the monster sunspot array that unleashed the X8.6 flare at Earth. Here's how the solar disk looks from the Perseverance rover. @RyanJFrench @MarksGonePublic @50ShadesofVan @RyanVoutilainen @bobmackin @ElijahBman @CadiereGerald https://t.co/I03tJlLIg9
Will Northern Lights be seen in Texas again? Here's when solar activity is set to peak https://t.co/8aaWuQBlHB
Some wild fluctuations in Bz late last night (Vancouver time), although not on the magnitude seen with the major auroral event last week. Here's the current space weather and HF radio signals propagation snapshot at 1530 UTC / 8:30 AM PDT). @RyanVoutilainen @RyanJFrench https://t.co/wKwfmyOhk4
Northern Lights could be visible in Britain AGAIN this weekend after last week's stunning display https://t.co/os4TrFFpAt
The #AuroraBorealis dipped south of the Canada/U.S. border overnight but just barely - nothing compared to the breadth and extent on May 11 - but still lovely. These views via VIIRS Day Night Band on the #Suomi-NPP and #NOAA21 satellites. More at https://t.co/N94utqlp7f 🛰️🛰️ https://t.co/c9v0hE17SC
Met Office says Northern Lights will return to UK tomorrow night https://t.co/42e68vdpEB
How #ISRO saved its satellites from strongest #SolarStorm that hit #Earth Read in detail: https://t.co/Yh70umqRLY https://t.co/sosUfxv4yW
Northern Lights sightings 'likely' in UK as amber alert issued https://t.co/rPiFhaYFHh