Yahoo News Another chance to see Northern Lights in UK after huge solar storm experts say
If you missed the dramatic display of the Northern Lights in Wales last weekend, fret not. According to experts, another opportunity to witness this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon might just be a couple of weeks away.
Experts say the immense solar storm causing these displays will swing back towards the UK in around two weeks time,. They anticipate it will be significantly strong and complex enough to trigger further detonations, that could impact Earth's magnetic field, producing aurora, reports WalesOnline.
Over the previous weekend, people all over Wales, stretching from Cardiff to the north, were thrilled to catch sight of these stunning illuminations.
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Since then, the Sun has continued pumping out increased radiation - a huge solar flare on Tuesday disrupted high-frequency radio communications globally. And this hyperactive sunspot won’t be the last. The Sun is approaching what is called "solar maximum" - a point during an 11-year cycle when its activity is strongest.
The Northern Lights occur as a consequence of solar activity and result from collisions of charged particles in the solar wind colliding with molecules in the Earth's upper atmosphere.
BBC Weather forecaster Matt Taylor said: "The sun spot that helped produce the magnetic storms which created the beautiful dancing colours in the sky has disappeared from view, but it will be back in two weeks time and there is a chance we could see some more spectacular aurora as it continues to roll towards a solar max.
"That is when the sun is at its most active. The problem is predicting how strong the aurora is and will be is very, very difficult. Thing about trying to predict which is going to be the biggest wave rolling on to the coast. It needs to be the right time as far as the aurora is concerned, needs to be at nighttime and we need those clearer skies."
There is a wave that could produce some aurora on Saturday night (May 18), but it is only likely to be seen in the far north of Scotland. Matt said: "The problem is it will probably be before the sun sets, but there is a chance if you get the clear skies that we could see an aurora but not quite on the same scale as last weekend."
The Northern Lights are best seen in darkness, away from any light pollution. The lights generally extend from 50 miles to as high as 400 miles above the Earth's surface.
The Met Office said: "The best conditions to view the lights are when the sky is dark and clear of any clouds. Cloud cover ultimately blocks the view of the light. Ideally, the lights will be best viewed away from any light pollution, in remote areas, facing the northern horizon - north facing coasts produce some of the best viewing locations."
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