Skywatchers across the UK are in for a rare treat tonight as the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are set to make another dazzling appearance. According to the Met Office, the breathtaking natural phenomenon will be visible across the far north of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, provided the skies remain clear.
Last night, lucky stargazers in Dundee, Hopeman in Moray, and the Shetland Islands were treated to a stunning display of green and purple hues across the sky. The aurora was caused by a geomagnetic storm, a powerful disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field triggered by a surge of charged particles ejected from the sun. The best way to witness the Northern Lights is to find a dark location away from artificial light pollution.
Those with a decent camera can capture even more vibrant colours, as long exposure settings allow for greater light absorption than the human eye.
Some of the best places to view the aurora in the UK include the Lake District in Cumbria, Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, the Shetland Islands, and Whitley Bay in North Tyneside.
However, for those hoping to see the display in England, time is running out as visibility is expected to diminish heading into the weekend.
While England and Wales are forecast to have a dry and clear Friday night, Scotland and Northern Ireland may experience cloud cover and patchy rain, which could obstruct views of the aurora.
On Saturday night, sightings will likely be limited to the far north of Scotland, where skies are expected to be clearer.
Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth's atmosphere, producing colourful light displays.
Oxygen is responsible for green and red hues, while nitrogen creates blue and purple tones. These dazzling displays are becoming more frequent as the sun reaches its solar maximum, a peak in its 11-year cycle that results in heightened solar activity and stronger geomagnetic storms.
Beyond the UK, the strongest aurora sightings tonight are expected in Canada and Alaska, with faint displays visible in northern parts of the United States, including Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
In the Southern Hemisphere, where it is known as Aurora Australis, the light show may be visible as far north as New Zealand’s South Island.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has rated the current geomagnetic storm as G1, which is considered minor. However, such storms can still cause weak power grid fluctuations and minor disruptions to satellite operations.
With cloud cover expected to increase over the weekend, tonight presents the best chance for UK residents to witness this awe-inspiring natural wonder.
Those hoping to catch a glimpse should head to a dark, open space, and look north for what could be a spectacular celestial show.
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