Powerful solar storm brings stunning northern lights to southern US, parts of UK

The Northern Lights have illuminated the skies over the UK and parts of the US, with vibrant displays of colour visible as far south as Kent in England. Known as the aurora borealis , the light show captivated stargazers from Scotland to East Anglia, with images of the breathtaking phenomenon flooding social media.

The Met Office had predicted that the auroras might only be visible as far south as the Midlands. However, the spectacle extended further south, offering a rare opportunity for people to witness the phenomenon. In the US, parts of the northern states also experienced the dazzling light show.

The display is the result of a powerful solar eruption that has sent charged particles from the sun hurtling towards Earth. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) had earlier issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch, one of the most severe classifications. This storm, expected to hit Earth on Thursday, allows the Northern Lights to be seen far beyond their usual range. NOAA has been monitoring the coronal mass ejection, which could cause minor disruptions to power grids, GPS, and satellite communications.

The aurora borealis occurs when these charged solar particles collide with Earth's magnetic field, exciting gases in the atmosphere. This interaction produces the vibrant colours seen in the night sky, with green hues being the most common, caused by oxygen in the atmosphere.

For those hoping to capture the auroras, experts recommend using long exposure photography, as the lights are not always clearly visible to the naked eye.