Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.

Ferocious solar storm brings aurora borealis to US, UK skies

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 11 May 2024 10:13
3 Min Read

A rare occurrence of the aurora borealis, typically seen in more northern latitudes, was observed farther south than usual, stretching from Ireland and Britain to the Czech Republic and Germany.

  • x
  • Northern lights near Alabama, US. (X)
    Northern lights near Alabama, US (X)

Rare sightings of the aurora borealis illuminated the night skies across the UK, Europe, and the northern hemisphere. The phenomenon was observed in various locations, including Whitley Bay on the northeast coast, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Wokingham in Berkshire, Suffolk, Kent, Hampshire, and Liverpool.

Reports emerged from Ireland, where the meteorological service Met Eireann shared images of the lights above Dublin and Shannon Airport in County Clare.

okay i’m speechless and overjoyed! spent ages in the garden staring up at the aurora. on a warm summer night too. what a time to be alive.

i only said “it’s like Skyrim” once pic.twitter.com/nUgyYX2TU5

— emmalition🗡️ (@emmalition) May 10, 2024

Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon said on Friday, “Although the shorter nights will limit the visibility window, there’s a good chance to see the aurora, particularly on Friday night and especially in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of northern England and Wales."

“There could even be visibility further south if you have the right equipment," he added.

“Those conditions could continue on Saturday night but we still have to work out some details on where exactly that will be,” he further stressed.

Related News

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

US China talks in Malaysia called ‘very constructive’ by US Treasury

Dive deeper

Aurora displays happen when charged particles interact with gases in the Earth's atmosphere near the magnetic poles. In the northern hemisphere, this phenomenon primarily occurs within a region referred to as the aurora oval, spanning latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees. During periods of heightened activity, this oval expands, allowing sightings to occur further south than usual.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US issued an unusual warning of a severe geomagnetic storm on Friday, advising operators of power plants and satellites in orbit to implement precautionary measures. NOAA mentioned that the storm might generate auroras visible as far south as Alabama and northern California.

NOAA reported that the storm is expected to reach its peak as at least seven coronal mass ejections combine and approach Earth late on Friday or early on Saturday. NOAA also stated that geomagnetic storm activity is predicted to remain high throughout the weekend.

This is making me emotional! I never expected to see this in Alabama! pic.twitter.com/pGxz5Sm5gy

— Amber Kulick ⛈️ (@AmberKulick_wx) May 11, 2024

It is worth noting that experts advise seeking out areas with minimal light pollution and facing north for optimal views of the aurora borealis. However, many excited observers who shared their sightings on social media found the phenomenon easily visible without much effort.

NASA's science satellites may face heightened radiation levels as a result of the solar storm. Antti Pulkkinen, director of the space agency's heliophysics science division, stated that if necessary, highly sensitive instruments would be deactivated to prevent damage. Multiple spacecraft focused on observing the sun were closely monitoring the situation.

“This is exactly the kinds of things we want to observe,” Pulkkinen said.

  • United States
  • Storm
  • NOAA
  • Northern lights
  • solar storm
  • European Union

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Undated photo of Hanwha Ocean’s Goeje Shipyard in South Korea (Hanwha Ocean)
Politics

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Catherine Connolly speaks after being after being elected as the new President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Connolly wins Irish presidency in blow to political establishment

Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel's' post-ceasefire demolitions in Gaza violate agreement: Hamas

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran’s Araghchi: Our nuclear bomb is resilience, not weapons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS