Sonora

As a result of the most extreme solar storm in the last 20 years that occurred tonight on the planet, it has caused spectacular northern lights, which have been seen in Mexico and other parts of the world.

GALLERY: Solar storm ‘paints’ the world’s skies with northern lights

Of the “impressive” natural spectacle seen last night in Zacatecas, Sinaloa and other entities, it has been reported on networks “There is no precedent that indicates a before or after of a sighting like this May 10, 2024” in Zacatecan lands , wrote a person on social networks, where a photograph of the phenomenon is shown.

There were also reports from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, from Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, where long exposure photos of the northern lights were also taken.

Northern lights seen from Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Photo taken from X

Even users of the reported the phenomenon: “I never in my life thought I would witness an aurora borealis from the Pearl. “It is incredible how nature gives us this spectacle. You will be able to observe the red glow if you look carefully to the north,” an excited viewer uploaded to the networks from Río Lagartos, on the coast of Yucatán.

Social networks were filled with photos of citizens of the United States, Spain, Great Britain, Sweden, Australia and other regions of the world where the northern lights were witnessed.

The AFP agency highlights that according to the Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA), the geomagnetic storm continues to increase, this Friday the most powerful solar storm in two decades occurred, which was the one that caused the northern lights. , but also threatens possible disruptions to satellites and power grids, as long as it persists this weekend.

NOAA described the storm as “extreme,” the first since others in October 2003 caused blackouts in Sweden and damaged energy infrastructure in South Africa.

Aurora borealis seen from Zacatecas. Photo taken from X

In this regard, the Mexico Space Weather Service (SCIESMEX) of the Institute of Geophysics of the UNAM also warned about the effects on the Earth’s environment that the solar storms that have occurred in recent days can cause on the Earth’s magnetic field.

The UNAM organization explained that “solar storms are natural phenomena that occur regularly. It is not possible to predict when severe or extreme events, similar to earthquakes, will occur. However, by constantly monitoring the Sun, the interplanetary medium, the upper atmosphere (ionosphere) and the Earth’s magnetic field to study them scientifically, recommendations can be made to prevent their effects.”

In the last 10 days, he detailed, two active regions on the surface of the Sun have produced a series of solar storms, including nine intense bursts of light, known as class some failures in communications in high frequency HF radio bands.

“In the last 48 hours, seven solar storms occurred, which in addition to flares, also emitted clouds of solar material (Coronal Mass Ejections) that propagate in the direction of Earth and are expected to affect the planet’s environment between tonight, May 10, and for the next two days.”

These “Coronal Mass Ejections could cause global disturbances of the Earth’s magnetic field and affect satellites, telecommunications, global positioning systems, air navigation and electrical energy generation and transmission networks.”

SCIESMEX will monitor the event and provide information to the National Civil Protection System.