Exactly when the Northern Lights could be visible again in the UK – and it’s soon

There’s a chance the aurora borealis could be visible in the UK again

The Northern Lights might be visible in the United Kingdom again, and it could happen very soon.

This is due to a massive new solar storm that has been observed on the Sun’s surface.

The explosion, which occurred on Tuesday, May 14, is the largest in the current 11-year solar cycle. It is even bigger than the one that recently produced beautiful Northern Lights across the UK and mainland Europe.

To give you an idea of the scale, this cosmic explosion occurred on an area of the Sun’s surface that is 15 times wider than Earth.

Currently, scientists say we don’t expect any major effects on Earth because the explosion happened on a side of the Sun that isn’t facing us.

However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States hasn’t ruled out the possibility of some geomagnetic impacts on Earth.

The solar flare could disrupt infrastructure like GPS systems or even cause power outages, similar to what happened in the US last weekend.

NOAA stated that the Sun’s activity “isn’t done yet” after this new flare, which is classified as an X8.7-class flare.

Northern Lights in Scotland. (Getty Stock Image)

Jim Wild, a Professor of Space Physics at Lancaster University, mentioned that repeated Northern Lights displays are unlikely because the ‘coronal mass ejections’ from the Sun are being directed away from Earth.

However, there is still some hope.

Ravindra Desai, an Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Warwick, explained to Metro that while the active region of the Sun is currently not facing Earth, it will soon shift.

Dr. Desai, like Professor Wild, emphasized that the effects of the solar flare could still reach Earth, potentially causing radio blackouts and damage to satellites in orbit.

Last weekend the Northern Lights could be seen right across the UK, including here in Norfolk. (David Tipling/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Regarding the Northern Lights, Dr. Desai explained when we might see them again over the UK.

“It’s important to note that active region 3664 may last for two weeks or more, and it will eventually face Earth again,” he said.

People trying to capture the Northern Lights in Whitley Bay, near Newcastle, last weekend. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

“So, in two weeks, there is a higher chance of more major geomagnetic storms and Northern Lights over the UK,” Dr. Desai said.

Based on our calculations, this means the Northern Lights could return around May 28. However, experts will provide more precise predictions as the time approaches.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Image/David Tipling/Universal Images Group via Getty Images