Hum Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 LONDON (AP) ? The Northern Lights have lit up the skies above Scotland, northern England and northern parts of Ireland after the biggest solar storm in more than six years bombarded Earth with radiation. The Canadian Space Agency posted a geomagnetic storm warning on Tuesday after residents were also treated to a spectacular show in the night sky. Ken Kennedy, director of the Aurora section of the British Astronomical Association, said that the lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible for a few more days. The Northern Lights are sometimes seen from northern parts of Scotland but the unusual solar activity this week means the lights have also been visible from northeast England and Ireland, a rarity. Geomagnetic storms cause awesome sights, but they can also bring trouble. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, problems can include current surges in power lines, and interference in the broadcast of radio, TV and telephone signals. source & more pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FMH Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Stunningly beautiful imagery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muhammad Farrukh Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Those images are awesome (Y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SizzleBang360 Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Absolutely stunning. I've always wanted to see the northern lights in person, maybe one day I will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 I never knew the mostly circular patterns were possible -- fantastic ! :D [pic 2] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
44MLX Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Beautiful scene! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceBlackIce Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I hope I go see them live at least one time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 You really do need to see them from a "datk sky" rural area. What these pics don't convey are the constant movement and color shifts - almost like they're alive. Another interesting phenomenon are the sounds of the aurora. These sound like anything from static to a small animal in the bushes, or sometimes warbling tones. They've never been successfully recorded, making many scientists think the strong low frequency RF emissions of the aurora are, in some people, directly stimulating the circuitry of the observers brain, inner ear, or the vestibulocochlear nerve which connects the brain and ear. I've head these "sounds" and believe the RF theory is correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExchangeAdm Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Great pics for wallpaper :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tews Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I lived in Greenland and the nightly display of the Northern Lights were spectacular! They would hang endlessly from horizon to horizon, and gazing at them endlessly was one of my favorite pastimes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noshoes Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I wish I was back in Scotland just now to hopefully see them. I'm in Finland & we normally see them but even with this solar storm, I'm stood outside and see nothing yet :(. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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