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Astronomers have confirmed that a hole in the solar corona is creating a solar storm that is currently crossing the Earth.
The holes in the crown are colder places in the plasma of the sun's atmosphere, which allow the solar wind (charged particles) to escape and cascade over the solar system.
When this solar wind strikes the Earth's atmosphere, charged particles collide with gaseous particles and create the aurora borealis, also called aurora borealis.
The Met Office has issued a notification regarding the incoming solar storm and has confirmed that more active aurora lights will be lit within the next two days.
Residents of the northernmost regions of the UK may have a glimpse of the aurora, which has a greenish hue when she crosses the night sky.
"The solar wind rose yesterday night low (below 350 km / s for some time), with speeds reaching about 550-600 km / s in the early hours of Tuesday 11 in the morning," commented the Met Office .
"The magnitude of the total magnetic field has gone from low levels in the morning to sometimes high levels during the evening, but has since dropped to moderate levels."
Those from North America will have a good view, especially in Alaska and parts of Canada.
What makes this current outbreak more remarkable is that we are currently in the "solar minimum" – the least active period of the 11-year sun cycle.
Auroras are caused by charged particles that interact with nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere, producing bright green lights that play in the sky.
Interestingly, they also have a number of side effects such as interference with satellites or, in extreme cases, electrical networks on Earth.
The Parker Solar Probe, recently launched by NASA, will study highly charged particles emitted by the sun.
"Auroras are only a symptom of a larger space weather system in which solar matter and radiation can affect the earth's magnetic environment and block radio communications, disrupt satellite computers or, at worst, cause surges agency said.
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