A 'cannibal storm' is sweeping over Norway, creating stunning opportunities to witness the Northern Lights. This phenomenon, caused by two solar gas and particle clouds colliding, has also been observed in Sweden, with sightings reported in Piteå, Västra Götaland, and Lund.
Spectacular 'Cannibal Storm' Brings Northern Lights to Sweden and Norway
Spectacular 'Cannibal Storm' Brings Northern Lights to Sweden and Norway
A so-called 'cannibal storm' is currently sweeping over Norway, offering great chances to witness the Northern Lights across the country, according to Norwegian media reports. In Sweden, several people have also reported glimpsing the light phenomenon in the sky on social media.
"Sit in a deck chair outside and watch the sky," says Pål Brekke, a researcher at Norway's equivalent of the Space Agency, to VG, adding that it is likely the Northern Lights will be visible in the sky over the country all night.
A cannibal storm is a solar storm that occurs when two gas and particle clouds from the sun are ejected closely after one another. The faster, second cloud 'eats up' the first, making the effect on Earth's magnetic field stronger and more powerful than if the clouds had hit separately. The name comes from the fact that one cloud 'devours' the other.
In the Facebook group 'Norrsken', several Swedes have also shared pictures of the light phenomenon. It has been sighted in Piteå, as well as in Västra Götaland and Lund.