Northern Lights auroras linked to 'damaging' electrical effects in new research

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Northern Lights is known for its stunning, colourful sky displays, but new research suggests that these beautiful auroras could actually be harmful.Auroras are recognizable as brilliant streaks of purples, greens and other colours that occasionally light up the skies.

They are caused by "head-on" impacts to the planet's magnetic field - and it turns out that this could be damaging to critical infrastructure.Scientists have found that interplanetary shocks hitting Earth's magnetic field cause more intense ground-level electrical currents, posing threats to various conduits of electricity like pipelines and underwater cables.For millennia, auroras have captivated humans, weaving themselves into myths and omens, yet it's only in this era of reliance on electrical technology that their potential destructive force is fully realized.

In a rare occurrence, The Northern Lights were seen across the UK in places they wouldn't usually be visible due to light conditions, including more populated areas of Scotland.Published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, recent findings reveal how the phenomena responsible for creating the mesmerizing auroras are also behind potentially damaging currents that could wreak havoc on electrically conducting structures such as pipelines.

The research highlights the importance of the angle at which these interplanetary shocks hit Earth - understanding this can help predict severe space weather events and protect vital systems.Dr Denny Oliveira from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Maryland, lead author of the study, explained: "Auroras and geomagnetically induced currents are caused by similar space weather drivers."He further elaborated: "The aurora is a visual warning that