Nature holds a light show

Northern lights appear after Earth hit by strongest solar storm in two decades

PEOPLE IN Britain marvelled at the unusual and spectacular sight of the northern lights on Friday night, the consequence of a severe solar storm that was brewing and was expected to continue over the coming days.

The northern lights — also known as aurora borealis — usually don’t reach that far south. They are most often seen in higher latitudes closer to the North Pole.

People in other European countries, including Denmark and Germany, also reported seeing the lights.

Onlookers marvelled at the sight, posting their surprise, delight and sometimes shock on social media. As one user wrote: “Aurora Borealis? At this time of year? At this time of day? In this part of the country? Localised entirely over Edinburgh?”

Another onlooker posted, “It really is gorgeous though.”

The northern lights also made appearances in North America, with some reporting sightings in Maine, Friday night.

Earlier Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a rare warning about the solar outburst, because it could disrupt communications and even power grids. However, there were no major disruptions.

The most intense solar storm in recorded history, in 1859, prompted auroras in central America and even Hawaii.

Reuters The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, seen in Staffordshire, Britain; and Vancouver in Canada on Friday night.