How the solar storms that cause the Northern Lights can wreak havoc on Earth

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete by ByChris Fawkes Lead Weather PresenterDecember 7, 2025 at 01:17 AM

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Solar storms, which cause the Northern Lights, can also disrupt technology on Earth. Intense solar radiation can affect electricity supplies, satellites, and air travel, as demonstrated by a recent incident where 6,000 planes were grounded due to a software update after a plane experienced a sudden drop in altitude believed to be caused by solar interference. Governments and scientists are actively researching and planning for severe space weather events, using the 1859 Carrington Event as a benchmark. A similar event today could damage satellites, disrupt radio communications, and cause power outages. The UK government includes severe space weather in its National Risk Register, highlighting the potential for significant disruption.

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Key Player Opposition Context

BBC Weather Watchers 40% NASA/Goddard/SDO/PA Wire 40% UK government 50% Airbus 60% Northern Lights ×280%

Keywords

solar storms 100% space weather 80% satellite disruption 70% northern lights 60% geomagnetic storm 60% electricity supplies 50% carrington event 50% air travel 50% solar radiation 40%

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BBC News - World

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solar storms space weather satellite disruption northern lights geomagnetic storm electricity supplies carrington event air travel solar radiation

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