The world of outer space

Look up tonight! A powerful solar storm is sending radiation towards Earth that could spark a stunning display of the Northern Lights
Geomagnetic storm activity this evening could send a dazzling display of lights rippling across the night sky.

Space-weather forecasters have issued a G3 (Strong) Watch today, which is the middle classification on the geomagnetic storm scale, just one below 'severe'.

While effects on power grids or spacecraft operation will likely be minor, sky-gazers in high latitudes could be treated to a view of the colourful auroras.
People living in Scotland, Canada, and a number of America's northern states may see the lights, with viewers as far south of Yorkshire also in for a glimpse.

In Europe, aurora-watchers in the north of Scandinavia will be in for some exciting displays.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said on Tuesday that it had issued a G3 Watch warning.

During this time, there may be weak power grid fluctuations or slight impacts to satellite operations, along with effects on migratory animals.

The storm could pose an 'elevated radiation risk to passengers and crew in high-flying aircraft at far north or south latitudes,' a NOAA warning says.

It may also intermittently impact high-frequency RF communications, which may cause some transpolar flight routes to divert to lower geomagnetic latitudes.

The storm will not, however, impact with flights or any other human activity, the agency says.

Auroras could also be seen as low as Illinois and Oregon, the NOAA added
The warning is in response to a huge coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun on Monday, which sent a stream of radiation hurtling towards the Earth.

This radiation will likely continue to bombard the planet through to September 7, the NOAA said.

The agency said its Planetary K-index, a measure of the magnitude of geomagnetic storms, was expected to be greater than 4 today - a value which means a geomagnetic storms warning will be issued.
The British Geological Survey, Aurorawatch UK and US body Space Weather Prediction Centre have all reported heightened opportunities of spotting the aurora, because of the solar storm.

The storm is caused by a hole in the outermost layer of the sun, opening the magnetic field up to stretch further than usual, which resulted in a gradual increase in the solar wind.

Last year, Nasa released an incredible video showing solar wind as it leaves the sun's surface - in stark contrast to the gusty and turbulent wind as it approaches Earth.

Ever since the 1950s discovery of the solar wind – the constant flow of charged particles from the sun – there's been a stark disconnect between this outpouring and the sun itself.

Near the sun where it originates, this wind is structured in distinct rays, much like a child's simple drawing of the sun, researchers found.