The Northern Lights have once again lit up the skies of the UK, providing sky watchers with an amazing sight. This stunning phenomenon was particularly noticeable in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England. Residents of these regions, as well as photographers, were able to capture the beauty of the northern lights thanks to clear skies and increased solar activity.
The northern lights will be visible in parts of the UK when a huge coronal mass ejection hits the Earth. If you missed the northern lights over the weekend, don’t worry – you may get another chance to see this natural wonder.
Experts from the UK Meteorological Office say that tonight residents of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland will be able to witness a colourful light show.
The lights are best observed from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. They are caused by charged particles from a “coronal mass ejection” – a violent outburst from the Sun – interacting with atoms in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
Residents in southern areas such as Newcastle, Belfast and the Isle of Man will be able to see the phenomenon by looking north after dark – it should also be visible outside the UK.
Meanwhile, people too far south will be able to capture streams of multi-coloured light on their smartphone camera, even if they can’t see them themselves.
According to the Met Office, people with a decent camera will be able to take pictures of the aurora even when it’s not visible to the naked eye. Look north if you’re in the northern hemisphere (or south if you’re in the southern hemisphere) and adjust your camera accordingly. A Met Office spokesman said:
“Cameras help because a long shutter speed lets in a lot of light and enhances colours more than the human eye can see. That’s why you can sometimes see images even as far south as Cornwall, although you’re unlikely to see that with the naked eye.”
The Met Office said the aurora would be visible to the naked eye in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as parts of England and Wales, mainly in the north.
The Met Office spokesman also said:
“Cameras help as the long exposure allows loads of light in and enhances the colours more than the human eye can see. That is why you see pictures as far south as Cornwall sometimes though you’re unlikely to see it with the naked eye that far south.”
The Met Office warns that the northern lights could become a more frequent occurrence in the UK in the coming years. This is because the sun is approaching its solar maximum, the peak moment in its roughly 11-year cycle. The solar maximum period is characterised by an increase in sunspot numbers and high solar activity, leading to frequent occurrences of space weather, including the aurora borealis.
The Northern Lights are a rare occurrence for the UK. In May 2024, many residents shared photos of the event taken in places such as Liverpool, Kent, Norfolk and Sussex. There have also been sightings in parts of Scotland, bringing particular joy and wonder to those who were able to see it.
