[LOOK] Rare Orange Auroras, Photobombing Meteor Shower Illuminates UK Skies

John Lopez, Tech Times 02 December 2023, 09:12 am

A breathtaking celestial display stunned observers in the United Kingdom as a rarely-seen orange auroras painted the night sky above Scotland.

These stunning phenomena, which typically defy scientific explanation, were captured in an extraordinary series of photographs by photographer Graeme Whipps.

Whipps tells SpaceWeather.com that he was astounded as vibrant orange hues danced across the skies above Aberdeenshire in Scotland on the evening of Nov. 25.

"What an incredible sight!" he said, recounting the one-hour spectacle that included a mesmerizing photobombing meteor streaking across the skyline.

[LOOK] Rare Orange Auroras and a Photobombing Meteor Shower Illuminate UK Skies

(Photo : Image via Graeme Whipps)
Rare orange auroras amazed observers in the UK, captured in stunning photographs, caused by a geomagnetic storm triggered by a solar eruption.

Behind the Mesmerizing Sight

LiveScience tells us that this dazzling event unfolded amidst a minor (G2) geomagnetic storm triggered by a potent solar storm's collision with Earth.

This storm was initiated by a fast-moving cloud of magnetized plasma known as a coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME, originating from a solar prominence eruption, left a spectacular "canyon of fire" on the Sun's surface.

The rarity of these orange auroras lies in their color composition. Typically, auroras exhibit red and green hues resulting from the excitation of oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere.

However, the orange hues observed by Whipps are an unusual combination of red and green light, an occurrence so rare that it is practically considered impossible to witness.

The scientific explanation behind these peculiar orange auroras involves the overlap of vertical bands of red and green auroras, a phenomenon that occurs under highly specific conditions.

How Auroras Are Formed

Auroras are caused by high-energy particles interacting with the Earth's atmosphere, which causes gas molecules to emit light. The array of colors seen in auroras is created by different molecules at different altitudes.

Surprisingly, this extraordinary display is not entirely unprecedented. Similar orange hues were observed during a separate geomagnetic storm in Canada just a month before, which caught the interest of astronomers and researchers around the world.

Another UK Sky Spectacle

In addition to the UK event, previous celestial spectacles have graced the skies above the region. Notably, astronomer Alan Fitzsimmons captured a remarkable series of arcs, halos, and sun dogs enveloping the sun on May 28 in Belfast's Botanic Gardens. This dazzling display, known as a 22-degree halo, left spectators in awe for approximately 30 minutes.

While occurrences like these remain rare, astronomers and skywatchers eagerly await the next celestial event to grace the UK skies.

Observers in Northern Ireland, northern England, and Scotland were also fortunate to witness some of these awe-inspiring luminous rays, enhancing the experience of this natural spectacle.

As these extraordinary celestial events continue to captivate and amaze, astronomers and enthusiasts remain on the lookout for the next stunning display that might grace the night skies.

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