Tools

Solar storm causes airlnes to re-route flights

By WKTV News

Story Created: Jan 25, 2012 at 8:42 AM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 25, 2012 at 9:02 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) - It's been a rare sight in the night sky above northern England. The Northern Lights have lit up the skies after the biggest solar storm in more than six years bombarded Earth with radiation.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says a solar flare has pulled the northern lights further south.

Had cloud cover been less, we might have caught a glimpse last night in areas as far south as Syracuse.

The flare up is causing airlines to re-route flights. Delta Airlines re-routed at least six transpolar flights to avoid communication problems and to avoid exposing pilots and passengers to excessive radiation.

What's On