Northern Lights to Illuminate UK Skies Tonight Amid Solar Storm – Check Your Area
Northern Lights to Illuminate UK Skies Tonight: How to Catch the Spectacle
The Northern Lights (aurora borealis) are set to dazzle skies across the UK tonight, offering a rare opportunity for stargazers. A coronal mass ejection (CME)—a burst of solar material from the sun—is expected to collide with Earth’s magnetic field, creating vibrant displays of green, pink, and purple.
Where to Watch
The best views will be in northern Scotland and Northern Ireland, where clear skies are forecast. However, those in northern England and even further south might capture the aurora using smartphone cameras. “Long exposure on phone cameras enhances colors beyond what the human eye can see,” explains a Met Office spokesperson.
The Northern Lights seen in Northumberland in 2024 (Credit: Daily Mail).
Science Behind the Lights
The aurora occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s atmosphere. These particles, traveling millions of miles, collide with gases like oxygen (creating green/red hues) and nitrogen (producing pink/purple shades). The current event stems from a CME that erupted from the sun’s corona, triggering a geomagnetic storm.
Met Office map showing aurora visibility zones.
Viewing Tips
- Head north: Scotland and Northern Ireland offer prime visibility.
- Avoid light pollution: Seek dark, rural areas like the Lake District or Shetland Islands.
- Use your phone: Even if invisible to the eye, cameras may capture the lights.
- Timing: Peak viewing is between 11 PM and 2 AM.
St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay during a 2024 aurora (Credit: Daily Mail).
Global Visibility
The southern hemisphere’s aurora australis may also appear in Tasmania and New Zealand. In North America, Alaska and Canada are top spots, with parts of the northern U.S. potentially catching glimpses. NOAA predicts the storm will intensify to “G3” (strong) by Wednesday, expanding visibility.
Risks of Solar Storms
While harmless to humans, intense solar storms can disrupt power grids and satellites. Past events caused blackouts in Quebec (1989) and Sweden (2003).
Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska (March 2025).
Don’t miss this celestial show—grab your camera, head to a dark spot, and look north!
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