First ‘extreme’ solar storm in 20 years brings spectacular auroras

An aurora borealis is seen above Lausanne and the Jura from the Tour de Gourze in Riex, Switzerland, on May 11.WASHINGTON - The most powerful solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth on May 10, triggering spectacular celestial light shows from Tasmania to Britain – and threatening possible disruptions to satellites and power grids as it persists into the weekend.

“We’ve just woken the kids to go watch the Northern Lights in the back garden! Clearly visible with the naked eye,” Mr Iain Mansfield in Hertford, England, told AFP.“Absolutely biblical skies in Tasmania at 4am this morning. I’m leaving today and knew I could not pass up this opportunity,” photographer Sean O’ Riordan posted on social media platform X alongside a photo.

The CMEs emanated from a massive sunspot cluster that is 17 times wider than our planet. The Sun is approaching the peak of an 11-year cycle that brings heightened activity.Space physics professor Mathew Owens, of the University of Reading, told AFP that how far the effects would be felt over the planet’s northern and southern latitudes would depend on the storm’s final strength.

“Just go out your back door and take a picture with the newer cell phones and you’d be amazed at what you see in that picture versus what you see with your eyes.” Nasa has a dedicated team looking into astronaut safety, and can ask astronauts on the International Space Station to move to places within the outpost that are better shielded.

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