Strongest solar storm in 20 years puts on a light show
May 11, 2024
A powerful solar storm has been producing colorful light shows at unusual latitudes. The geomagnetic tempest could also interfere with power and communications.
The northern lights could be seen in Europe as far south as SwitzerlandImage: Laurent Gillieron/EPA
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, the first of several coronal mass ejections (CME) occurred shortly after 1600 GMT.
It was later upgraded to an "extreme" geomagnetic storm. It was the first such storm since the Halloween storms of October 2003, which caused blackouts in Sweden and damaged power infrastructure in South Africa.
The green and blue lights — which are expected to continue for a few days — were seen from Britain to Tasmania, with officials in the US saying sightings might be possible as far south as Alabama and Northern California.
Rare sightings of northern lights: Space weather scientist Luke Barnard speaks with DW
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Meanwhile, people from all over Germany posted photos of the aurora on social media. Scientists say the best views of the aurora may come from cell phone cameras, which are better at capturing light than the naked eye.
What are the CMEs?
Each eruption, known as a CME, can contain billions of tons of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. More CMEs are expected to hit the planet in the coming days.
Unlike solar flares, which travel at the speed of light and take about eight minutes to reach Earth, CMEs travel at a more leisurely pace. Officials say the current average is 800 kilometers (500 miles) per second.
People enjoy the rare celestial spectacle in BritainImage: Adam Vaughan/EPA
The CMEs come from a massive sunspot cluster that is 16 times larger than our planet. The sun is nearing the peak of an 11-year cycle that brings with it heightened levels of activity.
Authorities warned satellite operators, airlines and the power grid to take precautions in preparation for possible disruptions due to changes in the Earth's magnetic field.
The solar storm was caused by sunspot area AR3664, which has been growing over the past few days and is now 16 times larger than EarthImage: Ian L. Sitren/ZUMA/IMAGO
How dangerous are geomagnetic storms?
Fluctuating magnetic fields associated with geomagnetic storms induce currents in long wires, including power lines. These currents can potentially cause power outages. Long pipelines can also become electrified, causing technical problems.
Spacecraft are also at risk from high doses of radiation. NASA said the storm posed no serious threat to the seven astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Its crew could move to a better-shielded part of the station if necessary
The atmosphere prevents this radiation from reaching the Earth.
Aurora Borealis: Stunning spectacle in the sky
Auroras fascinate us anew every time. A solar storm recently produced a luminous display of colors in regions where the lights are otherwise rarely seen.
Image: SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP
Green lantern
The night sky over Washtucna in the US state of Washington turned a poisonous green recently. On Sunday, the US weather agency NOAA had flagged the violent solar storm that was responsible for the atmospheric night image. There were also numerous sightings in Europe and Asia.
Image: Ted S. Warren/AP Photo/picture alliance
A sunset at night?
The light phenomena are not unusual in the polar regions, but on the German Baltic Sea island of Usedom they are a memorable spectacle. The brilliant colors in the night sky are created by electrically charged particles of the solar wind colliding with the upper layers of the atmosphere.
Image: Christian Grube/IMAGO
The stars align
This color spectacle can not only be observed in the north. Besides the so-called Northern Lights (aurora borealis), there are also Southern Lights (aurora australis), as captured here at Lake Ellesmere in Australia.
Image: SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP/Getty Images
Lights on in Berlin
In Berlin, only a glimmer of the rushing colors could be seen because light pollution is too high. Nevertheless, you should look up at the sky more often in the coming years: According to experts, the current solar cycle will reach its peak in 2024 and 2025, when eruptions will increase. Auroras — or at least glimmers — can be seen a little more often in the temperate zone during this time.
Image: Jörg&Nicole Krauthöfer/IMAGO
Material for legends
In Finland, the Northern Lights are not uncommon. Before they could be explained scientifically, legends surrounded the fantastic lights. The Sami, Scandinavia's indigenous inhabitants, saw bad luck and spirits in the mysterious glow. They forbade the children to go out into the street and waited in silence until the dead had laid down to rest again.
Image: ALEXANDER KUZNETSOV/AFP
A rainbow at night
St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on England's northeastern coast shines brightly against the rainbow colors of the aurora borealis. The lights appear green, red and sometimes violet to blue. The perception of the colors can be quite individual and different due to the low light intensity.
