Solar Storms to Light Up Sky but Mess Up Mobiles

By MARK PRIGG

MASSIVE solar storms are set to disrupt power and mobile phone networks across earth, experts said today.

Scientists say that the current cycle of solar storms could be the most violent ever seen and fear that huge amounts of electricity sent out by storms on the sun’s surface could disrupt satellites and power generators.

Mausumi Dikpati at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in the US says sunspot activity will start Science Correspondent to rise later this year, culminating in maximum activity around 2010 and 2011.

It is believed the south of england could even see the northern lights because of the increased activity.

Areas, including southern England, which normally never witness such events, could see major auroral events glittering in the night skies.