Solar Storm Brings Northern Lights South

**bb1** Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:21 pm

Massive Solar Storm Hurtles Towards Earth

A massive solar storm is hurtling towards the Earth after the biggest eruption on the sun in six years.

The radiation storm is expected to create spectacular displays of the Northern Lights - but there are fears it could also disrupt communications, damage satellites and cause power grid outages at northern latitudes.
Sightings of aurora borealis (the Northern lights) have already been reported across the north of Britain, as far south as Northumberland, after an earlier solar flare on Sunday.
That first, moderate flare triggered the release of billions of tons of charged particles from the sun’s atmosphere, now travelling towards the earth at speeds of up to 1400 miles per second, according to Nasa's Goddard Space Weather Centre.
Astronomer Dr David Whitehouse told Sky News: "A storm took place on the surface of the sun on Sunday and that sends a stream of particles towards the earth.
"When they strike the upper atmosphere at the poles, they create these shimmering lights; these red and green curtains and streamers of light that move.
"There's no other light in the night sky that’s as ghostly, as mysterious and as wonderful as the aurora."

More at:

http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16155160

Solar Storm Brings Northern Lights South 16154712

Solar Storm Brings Northern Lights South 16154712

The Northern lights captured on Shetland Isles. Photo: Ross Mackenzie

**lily** Wed Jan 25, 2012 2:56 pm

How beautiful. I wonder how far south in Scotland they can be seen?

**bb1** Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:07 pm

It's been too cloudy for me to see them clearly, Lily, but the clouds have had a strange, green glow to them.

**bb1** Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:20 pm

From the BBC site:

Solar Storm Brings Northern Lights South Lights10

**lily** Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:35 pm

Wow, Bonny. Just saw the photos on the site. Totally amazing.

I'm glad you saw something, Bonny. smile

**Lamplighter** Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:05 pm

In Orkney we call them 'The Merry Dancers'. LL

**bb1** Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:12 pm

It's unusual to see them so far south, LL - I can see why people used to think they were the gods fighting, and so on.

This one was taken in Co. Donegal:

Solar Storm Brings Northern Lights South Article-0-116EE588000005DC-906_634x412

Solar Storm Brings Northern Lights South Article-0-116EE588000005DC-906_634x412

Eerie, even when you know what it is?

**lily** Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:15 pm

So very beautiful though.....

**bb1** Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:19 pm

There is a video from Lapland here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2091117/The-midnight-phoenix-rises-Biggest-solar-storms-seven-years-create-spectacular-northern-lights.html

Speeded up, they really do look as if they are dancing.

**lily** Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:47 pm

Thank you so much for posting that, Bonny. So enjoyable.

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Solar Storm Brings Northern Lights South

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