A rare and formidable solar storm is poised to strike Earth today with the potential to wreak havoc on communications, GPS systems and power grids as it takes over.
This so-called ‘cannibal storm’ could rank among the most significant witnessed over the past two decades, and if luck prevails, Ireland might be treated to a breathtaking Northern Lights display.
Brilliant auroras were observed across Europe on Tuesday evening and, weather permitting, similar scenes could unfold tonight. In the United Kingdom, the British Geological Survey (BGS) elevated the forecast to its maximum level and confirmed it had already disrupted satellite navigation.
(Image: PA)
The BGS has indicated that residents in northern Ireland stand a strong chance of witnessing the Northern Lights tonight, reports the Irish Mirror. Met Éireann has been approached for comment.
What triggers the Northern Lights?
According to Met Éireann: “The Northern Lights (or ‘aurora borealis’ in the northern hemisphere) are the results of collisions between gas particles in our atmosphere and charged particles ejected from the Sun’s atmosphere.
“The colour of the Northern Lights will change due to the type of gas particles that are colliding. Oxygen molecules at approximately 100km above the earth produce a greenish-yellow colour while, while a red aurora can be seen when high level oxygen molecules are involved. Blue or purple auroras indicate the presence of nitrogen molecules.”
Optimal conditions for spotting the Northern Lights
Weather forecasters at Met Éireann stress that aurora hunters have the best chance of spotting the Northern Lights when skies are clear and cloud-free.
“The Northern Lights are best observed in locations with very small amounts of light pollution. Parts of the west and north coast would offer the greatest chance of seeing the display,” say Met Éireann.
(Image: Unknown)
Best camera settings for photos
If you only have a smartphone, photography specialists at Visit Norway (where aurora displays are common) suggest downloading a quality camera app that lets you adjust your phone’s settings.
You should also steer clear of using flash, ensure you’re positioned somewhere dark away from street lighting, and it’s also advisable to use a tripod or stable surface for your phone.
To successfully capture the Northern Lights, make sure you set a timer for the shot – this prevents you from shaking the device.
For those with a compact camera or SLR, it’s recommended to begin with an aperture of f/2.8, ISO 1600 (boost this in very dark conditions) and a 15-second shutter speed.
What is the weather forecast for tonight?
Met Éireann reports: “Tonight will remain cloudy and wet as that band of showery rain continues to move northwards over the country. It will become drier further south later on in the night with just isolated showers. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees in light to moderate, variable winds.”