geomagnetic storm

Late on Tuesday night there was a geomagnetic storm - an increase in the solar energy entering Earth's atmosphere - which enhanced the aurora.

You'll need these increases in solar energy, such as a moderate to severe geomagnetic storm for the ring to grow and expand to lower latitudes such as the UK.

Having the extra energy of an Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejection and geomagnetic storm will increase chances even more.

May 2024 was especially significant, with Nasa suggesting Earth experienced the strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades - and was possibly among the strongest displays of aurora on record in the past 500 years.

The auroras were particularly visible in 2024 due to the biggest geomagnetic storm since 2003, according to Sean Elvidge, a professor in space environment at the University of Birmingham.