In 2024, the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, have appeared in the UK twice—a rare treat!
Normally, these stunning lights are not visible this far south, but this year, they’ve made two unforgettable appearances, with the latest show happening recently and the previous one on May 10th.
This is unusual, as the UK hasn’t seen such strong space weather events in over 20 years. So, what’s causing this sudden increase in activity?
The answer lies in the sun’s natural cycle, which lasts about 11 years.
During this time, the sun moves between periods of quiet, called solar minimum, and periods of intense activity, called solar maximum.
We’re now approaching solar maximum, meaning the sun is releasing more energy and matter into space, leading to more frequent and powerful solar storms. These storms are responsible for the recent displays of the Northern Lights.
Solar storms happen when the sun releases a massive amount of matter and magnetic energy, called a coronal mass ejection (CME).
When these CMEs reach Earth, they interact with our planet’s magnetic field, creating the colorful light shows we know as the aurora.
The closer we get to solar maximum, the more these storms occur, and the more visible auroras become, even in places like the UK that don’t normally see them.
Why are these storms special?
Solar storms are rated on a scale from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme), based on how strong they are. The storm in May was a G5, meaning it was an extreme event.
The latest storm was slightly less intense, classified as G4, but still powerful. The last time the UK experienced storms of this strength was in October 2003.
What makes these storms so unique is that they push the auroral oval—the region around the poles where the Northern Lights usually occur—further south. Normally, the UK is too far from the North Pole to see the lights regularly, but during G4 and G5 storms, the auroras stretch far enough south to be visible.
One major difference between now and past solar cycles is the role of smartphones. Modern phones with high-quality cameras make it easy for people to capture the Northern Lights and share their photos on social media.
Many smartphones can take long-exposure shots, which capture the faint light of the aurora much better than the human eye. This has led to a flood of images online, making it seem like auroras are more frequent than before, even though similar storms have happened in past solar cycles.
While the Northern Lights are a beautiful natural display, there’s serious science behind them. Researchers at the University of Birmingham’s Space Environment and Radio Engineering (SERENE) group study space weather and how it affects Earth.
Solar storms don’t just create pretty lights—they can also disrupt important systems like communications, GPS, satellites, and even the power grid. SERENE’s work helps us understand these storms and prepare for any problems they might cause.
As we near the peak of the sun’s activity, we can expect more solar storms, which means more chances to see the Northern Lights in the UK.
If the skies are clear and conditions are right, we might witness even more of these stunning displays in the coming years. Keep an eye on space weather forecasts, and you could be lucky enough to catch the next show!
Next time you see the Northern Lights, remember that it’s not just a random event—it’s a result of the sun’s powerful activity. Thanks to research from groups like SERENE, we can enjoy the lights while staying prepared for the effects of space weather on our everyday technology.
