Here's how to see the Northern Lights in the UK this week after a rare solar flare

"The special sky colourings, caused by solar particles colliding with Earth's magnetic field, could be more visible than usual in the UK this week, according to experts, thanks to a recent powerful blast from the Sun."

"On 10 May, a coronal mass ejection led to a huge explosion of plasma and magnetic energy. The Met Office has said that this expanding layer of solar debris could pass Earth as early as 13 May, potentially increasing the chances of aurora sightings across the UK."

"While most UK aurora sightings are seen in Scotland and other areas in high-latitude regions every few months, solar disturbances like these mean they can be seen throughout Britain, including in the south."

"“The Sun is a nuclear furnace, squeezing atoms together at its heart to release energy,” Geoff explains. “Ultimately, that's where the power behind the Northern Lights comes from.” “Over time, this energy gradually emerges from the core and leaks to the outside, where it starts to cause convection currents in the Sun's upper layers. These currents generate the Sun's magnetic field.”"

Northern Lights are swirling green and pink sky displays caused by solar particles colliding with Earth’s magnetic field. A powerful coronal mass ejection on 10 May released plasma and magnetic energy that could reach Earth as early as 13 May. This could raise the likelihood of aurora sightings across the UK, including areas in the south. Typical UK aurora sightings occur mainly in Scotland and other high-latitude regions every few months, but solar disturbances can make them visible throughout Britain. The most recent UK sightings occurred on 23–24 March. The phenomenon is powered by energy released in the Sun’s core, which drives magnetic field generation and launches charged particles into space via the solar wind.

Read at CN Traveller