Northern Lights Aurora Borealis Forecast: If you’re in the UK and love stargazing, this weekend might bring an exciting opportunity. The northern lights, also called the aurora borealis, could make an appearance in the UK skies. With beautiful greens and pinks, the lights have already been seen as far south as Kent. This weekend could offer another chance to witness this natural wonder.
Here’s everything you need to know about spotting the northern lights in the UK this weekend.
What Are the Northern Lights?
The northern lights are a stunning light show that appears in the sky. It happens when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. This interaction creates colorful lights, mostly seen near the Earth’s magnetic poles.
The lights can glow in different colors, depending on the gases involved. Nitrogen gives off purple, blue, and pink colors, while oxygen creates the bright green lights that are commonly associated with the aurora borealis. These lights are often triggered by solar flares or ejections from the sun, which send charged particles toward the Earth.
Why Are the Northern Lights Visible in the UK?
This week, the northern lights were especially bright due to a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun. A CME is a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic fields. This solar event hit Earth on Thursday, creating strong geomagnetic activity, which lit up the skies.
The Met Office has predicted another CME to arrive between Friday night and Saturday. This means there’s a chance to see the northern lights over parts of the UK this weekend. Scotland is most likely to have the best views, but weather conditions like clouds and rain might make it harder to spot the aurora.
Best Time and Place to See the Northern Lights This Weekend
According to the Met Office, northern Scotland will have the highest chance of seeing the aurora borealis early on Saturday morning. However, cloud cover and rain may block the view in many areas.
The northern lights might also appear on Sunday and Monday night, but again, clouds could limit visibility. If you’re trying to catch a glimpse, make sure to be in a place with little or no light pollution. Simon King, a weather expert from the BBC, advises looking towards the northern horizon. He also suggests using a camera or phone to see the lights better, as these devices can pick up the colors more easily than the naked eye.
Tips to Spot the Northern Lights
To increase your chances of seeing the aurora this weekend, follow these simple tips:
- Get away from city lights – Light pollution can block the view, so head to rural areas.
- Look to the northern horizon – The lights are more likely to be seen in the north.
- Use a camera or phone – Cameras can sometimes capture the colors better than our eyes.
- Be patient – The lights may not appear right away, so give yourself time to watch the skies.
Why 2024 Is a Special Year for Northern Lights
This year has been an excellent time for seeing the northern lights in the UK. Strong auroras have been seen multiple times in May, July, and August. The reason for this increase in activity is that we are approaching the solar maximum, which is part of the sun’s 11-year cycle.
The solar maximum is a period when the sun is more active, leading to more frequent solar flares and ejections. This causes more opportunities to see the northern lights. As we get closer to the solar maximum, there might be even more chances to witness the aurora.
How Long Will the Northern Lights Last?
The northern lights are unpredictable, so it’s hard to say exactly how long they will be visible. The Met Office predicts that geomagnetic activity will continue over the weekend. However, cloud cover and rain might block the view for many people. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and head to places with clear skies for the best chance of seeing the aurora.
