Aurora Borealis illuminates European night sky amid solar storm
What's the story
The Aurora Borealis, also referred to as the Northern Lights, illuminated the night skies across several parts of Europe yesterday (May 10, local time). The natural light show was seen from countries including the UK, Russia, Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Northern Ireland. This widespread sighting was triggered by a geomagnetic storm that passed through Earth on the same day. The spectacle painted the night sky with vibrant shades of green, purple, and blue.
Online buzz
UK Space Agency earlier tweeted about the possibility
The celestial event created a mesmerizing display that left viewers spellbound, with one describing it as "absolutely breathtaking." The UK Space Agency had earlier tweeted about the possibility of the Aurora Borealis in an X post. They stated, "There's a heightened possibility of the Northern Lights gracing our skies in the coming nights thanks to several Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) that left the Sun recently. Aurora sightings may be possible across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern England, and Wales."
Information
Social media flooded with spectacular images
Social media sides were filled with stunning images of the Northern Lights, shared by observers from many regions. People from several countries including the US, UK, New Zealand, and Australia, posted awe-inspiring images of the aurora as it happened.
Twitter Post
Northern Lights reported over Ireland
Northern lights in Ireland.
— Niall O’Hara 🇮🇪 (@ThoughtsToby) May 10, 2024
😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/364A2ogef2
Twitter Post
The phenomenon was seen in various parts of Russia
The #aurora borealis can be seen across a vast expanse of #Russia, spanning from the #Moscow region to the #Saratov and #Voronezh regions, and extending into southern #Siberia#NorthernLights#RussiaAurorapic.twitter.com/rthh5kNQI1
— know the Unknown (@imurpartha) May 10, 2024
Twitter Post
Here's the view from Romania
The #Aurora from #Romania 🇷🇴 pic.twitter.com/LxakQWKIDp
— FlashButEastern (@FlashButEastern) May 10, 2024
Storm watch
Space agencies monitored the solar activity
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had earlier issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning, when a solar outburst reached Earth on Friday afternoon, hours sooner than anticipated. Operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit were alerted to take precautions. As per NOAA, the Sun has been producing strong solar flares since Wednesday, causing a number of plasma outbursts. However, NASA assured that the latest storm posed no serious threat to astronauts aboard the International Space Station.