The aurora borealis could be visible “for weeks to come” as the massive solar storm continues

Leicestershire could be in for a treat in the coming weeks, according to space weather forecasters. The aurora borealis, as it is scientifically known, painted the night sky in shades of pink and green last week in Britain and parts of Europe, thanks to an extreme geomagnetic storm that made them more visible, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says. The US atmosphere.

This recent solar activity follows a series of eruptions and coronal plasma mass ejections that have posed a threat to power and communications on Earth and in orbit.

Krista Hammond, an expert in space meteorology at the Met Office, indicated that the sunspot region will rotate back towards Earth in about 10 to 12 days, potentially leading to new geomagnetic storms and displays of the aurora borealis. “The sunspot region will return to the Earth-facing side of the sun,” she explained.

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Auroras are created when charged particles collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere near the magnetic poles. The sun is currently in the most active phase of its 11-year cycle.

Ms Hammond added: “We are currently at solar maximum and we see more sunspots. If we see more sunspots, we see this frequency increased in spacetime and therefore in the aurora,” reports Bristol Live.

The meteorologist tempered expectations for a repeat of the recent Northern Golden Spectacular, but noted that continued solar activity could still provide viewing opportunities “in the coming weeks, months and years.”

“It was such a unique set of circumstances that happened last weekend. The chances of the same sunspots doing the same thing again are probably pretty low.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns up and there’s some activity on it, but it won’t be, I doubt, a repeat performance.”

The visibility of such displays in the UK is influenced by “the strength of geomagnetic storms”, she explained. There could also be smaller mass ejections headed for Earth soon, which could lead to more stunning auroras, according to Ms Hammond.

“There are some mass ejections on their way to Earth. They are much less strong than what we saw last weekend, but could bring auroras to predominantly northern parts of the UK such as Scotland, Northern Ireland, the north. of England.”

“Just because we don’t see auroras across the UK doesn’t mean we won’t see it in some areas,” she added. For a significant display to be visible, it must occur at night and in a clear sky, she added.