Why are solar storms and Northern Lights trending?
Recent coronal mass ejections from the sun have triggered widespread aurora borealis sightings, reaching as far south as England's south coast. Additionally, forecasters have issued a watch for a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm expected on October 11.
What happened
- 07 Oct, 2026
The sun releases a coronal mass ejection (CME) [3].
- 08 Oct, 2026
A second, faster CME is unleashed from the sun [3].
- Earlier
Northern Lights are seen across the UK, including Kent, Hampshire, and Devon, as activity levels hit 600nT [1], [2].
- 11 Oct, 2026
A G2 moderate geomagnetic storm watch is in effect as the two CMEs are expected to arrive [3].
What you need to know
The aurora is caused by charged particles colliding with nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere [1], [2].
Green and red colors come from oxygen, while blue and purple come from nitrogen [2].
Using a phone camera helps see colors that the human eye cannot perceive in low light [1].
To spot them, look north and stay away from bright city lights [1].
It is not confirmed if the Northern Lights will be visible in regions outside of Scotland and similar geomagnetic longitudes after Sunday [1], [2].
Background
The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, typically appears near the Arctic Circle or northern Scotland. They occur when solar wind or coronal mass ejections interact with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere [1], [2].
The sun follows an 11-year natural cycle of activity. Experts identified 2026 as a peak year for these displays due to this heightened state [1], [2].
Questions people ask
Why should I use a camera to see the lights?
Human eyes use rod cells in the dark, which cannot see color; cameras do not have this limitation [1].
What is a CME?
A coronal mass ejection is a powerful solar eruption that sends a stream of charged particles toward Earth [1].
Where this came from
Found through Google Trends and drafted with AI from at least two cited sources. Published automatically after passing our automated checks for sources, wording and safety. It may not have been reviewed by a person yet. Report a correction.