Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Spectacular Auroras Seen Worldwide Following Powerful Solar Storm
Imagine the sun burped out a bunch of super-fast, invisible energy balls!
These balls were so fast, some of them caught up to earlier ones, making a bigger, stronger storm.
When these speedy energy balls hit Earth's air, they made beautiful, colorful lights dance in the sky, like pink, green, and purple ribbons.
People in places like Australia, New Zealand, Britain, and even parts of America and Italy saw these amazing northern and southern lights.
It was like a special light show put on by the sun!
Scientists called this a 'cannibal' storm because the faster parts 'ate up' the slower parts.
This storm happened around November 12th, giving everyone a wonderful surprise in the night sky.
Spectacular displays of southern lights (aurora australis) and northern lights (aurora borealis) were visible globally.
The auroras, featuring pink, green, and purple colors, were caused by a powerful 'cannibal' solar storm.
This 'cannibal' storm occurred when fast-moving solar eruptions overtook earlier ones, intensifying their impact.
Notable viewing locations included Australia, New Zealand, Britain, parts of the USA, and Italy.
The phenomenon was predicted to be visible between November 12 and 13, resulting from charged particles from the Sun colliding with Earth's atmosphere.
- Who
- Skywatchers across Australia, New Zealand, Britain, the USA, and Italy
- What
- Witnessed spectacular displays of the southern lights (aurora australis) and northern lights (aurora borealis) caused by a powerful 'cannibal' solar storm.
- When
- Wednesday night (November 12) and predicted for November 12-13.
- Where
- Globally, including Australia, New Zealand, Britain, parts of the USA (West Virginia, Iowa), and Italy.
- Why
- A 'cannibal' solar storm, formed by fast-moving solar eruptions overtaking earlier ones, hurled charged particles toward Earth which collided with atmospheric gases, creating the auroras.
Visibility Predictions
Expert Forecasts
Northern Lights Visibility in the UK
Visibility Predictions
The Met Office suggested the best chances for viewing the aurora borealis were in the northern half of the UK, with potential for visibility further south if skies were clear.
Expert Forecasts
While the forecast focused on northern areas, clear skies could allow visibility in more southerly regions as well.
Auroral Display in Italy
Visibility Predictions
Experts predicted that people in northern and even central Italy might see the rare auroral glow between November 12 and 13.
Expert Forecasts
The forecast highlighted the potential for rare auroral sightings in specific regions of Italy.
- Event
- Spectacular Aurora Display
- Cause
- Powerful 'cannibal' solar storm (fast-moving solar eruptions overtaking earlier ones)
- Mechanism
- Collisions between charged particles from the Sun (CMEs) and Earth's atmospheric gases
- Visible Phenomena
- Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis (Southern Lights)
- Colors Observed
- Pink, green, and purple
- Notable Viewing Locations
- Australia, New Zealand, Britain, USA (West Virginia, Iowa), Italy (Aosta Valley)
- Expected Viewing Dates
- November 12-13
