Auroras Dance Across Europe After Near Miss

May 5th Near Miss Sparks Auroras Far South

A near miss on May 5th sparked auroras as far south as the Czech Republic in Europe. With this in mind high-latitude photographers captured stunning images of the celestial light show.

Observers in Northern Europe Captivated

Meanwhile in the northern hemisphere auroras danced across much of Europe. Observers in Scotland, Norway, and Sweden all reported sightings of the vibrant lights.

The auroras were caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun. The CME interacted with Earth's magnetic field, which diverted it away from our planet. However, the interaction still sent a ripple of energy through Earth's magnetic field, which triggered the auroras.

Auroras are a beautiful sight, but they can also disrupt satellites and other electronic systems. In addition, auroras can pose a radiation hazard to astronauts.

Scientists are still studying the effects of the CME and its interaction with Earth's magnetic field. They hope to learn more about how these events can affect our planet and our technology.

Space Weather is observed and forecasted by the Space Weather Service Network of the Royal Observatory of Belgium -- SIDC.