Northern lights to be visible in the UK THIS WEEKEND as massive solar storm strikes

The powerful solar flare was released from the sun, and Earth is caught in its crosshairs. Earth is in line with the solar flare and our planet is set to be hammered by the solar storm on Saturday, March 23. The powerful storm has been classed as a G-2, which has the potential to cause a ‘brown out’ for radio frequencies – making radio communication much more difficult – and can also cause power outages in high-latitude areas.

However, as it is so powerful, parts of the UK could be treated to northern lights, otherwise known as aurora borealis.

Northern lights are usually restricted to the Arctic Circle, but as this one is more powerful than usual, we may be able to see it in our corner of the globe.

The Met Office told Express.co.uk: “We expect a G2 level of activity to mean aurora might be visible in Scotland under clear skies.”

Auroras, which include northern lights – aurora borealis – and southern lights – aurora australis, are caused when solar particles hit the atmosphere.

As the magnetosphere gets bombarded by solar winds, stunning blue lights can appear as that layer of the atmosphere deflects the particles.

For the most part, the Earth’s magnetic field protects humans from the barrage of radiation, but solar storms can affect satellite-based technology.

Solar winds can heat the Earth’s outer atmosphere, causing it to expand.

This can affect satellites in orbit, potentially leading to a lack of GPS navigation, mobile phone signal and satellite TV such as Sky.

Additionally, a surge of particles can lead to high currents in the magnetosphere, which can lead to higher than normal electricity in power lines, resulting in electrical transformers and power stations blow outs and a loss of power.

The higher amounts of radiation also leave people vulnerable to cancer.

source: express.co.uk