A rare type of solar storm known as a 'cannibal' coronal mass ejection (CME) is forecast to bring the northern lights further south across the UK than usual. Forecasters suggest that over the next few nights, the aurora borealis could be visible beyond its typical range, with displays potentially stretching to the Midlands and East Anglia.
The storm is caused by one CME overtaking another, creating a more powerful geomagnetic disturbance as it collides with the Earth's magnetic field. This unusual phenomenon may give skywatchers in Britain one of the clearest chances in years to witness the aurora without travelling to the far north of Scotland.
