Danger to Earth warning issued after Northern Lights lit up UK skies

A danger to Earth warning has been issued after Brits spent the night snapping photos of the sky.

In a rare event, the Northern Lights glowed across the UK last night (10 May) in one of the clearest sightings of our lifetimes.

For many Brits, it’s saved them a trip to Iceland as they ticked off their bucket list from the comfort of their own back garden and there’s a chance they’ll get to see them again tonight.

But this ‘severe solar storm’ comes with a warning as US agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) upgrades the storm to a Level 5.

Brits gathered in Whitley Bay to see it. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

The agency reports that ‘Extreme’ G5 conditions reached Earth from the Sun on Friday night, as the first geomagnetic storm of such magnitude since October 2003.

This storm had consequences globally as NOAA say it caused power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa.

It has been warned that the storm could have an impact on communications, GPS and power grids.

NOAA said: “Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations.”

And a G5 one can also cause ‘widespread voltage control problems and protective system problems can occur, some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts’. A G5 Geomagnetic storm is the most severe level on NOAA’s space weather scale.

While a consequence of the solar storms is the impact on infrastructure and communications, there’s also the consequence of the amazing Northern Lights.

The Northern Lights in the UK. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

According to the Met Office, the Aurora Borealis were visible from the UK thanks to the combination of clear skies and enhanced activity from the Sun reaching Earth.

And the solar storm increased that visibility, taking place due to a ‘large’ sunspot cluster, which happens to be a whopping 17 times the diameter of Earth.

Different colours occur due to the different gases in the Earth's atmosphere, which are energised by the charged particles. Nitrogen emits purple, blue and pink colours, while oxygen emits green.

While many people got to witness the rare sight last night, there’s still some chance tonight as the best time to spot the Northern Lights will be between 10.00pm and 2.00am.

ITV News meteorologist and weather presenter Chris Page said: "Activity is expected to slowly decline, however there is a good chance (cloud permitting) you’ll be able to see it again tonight."

It seems you’ll want to be in northern parts of the country though.