Stargazers across the UK were treated to spectacular views of the Aurora Borealis last night after a fast-moving Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from the Sun struck the Earth’s magnetic <a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.Fieldfield.
The CME, which left the Sun on Saturday, 30 August, arrived late on Monday, 1 September, causing a “significant enhancement of the auroral <a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.Ovaloval” according to forecasters.
Sightings were reported in north-east england/scotland-england/”>scotland/”>Scotland, northern England, and the Midlands, while some photos shared online showed the Northern Lights as far south as West Cork in <a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.Ireland.
Will the Northern Lights return tonight?
The Met Office has said there is another chance to see the aurora on Tuesday night into Wednesday (2–3 September), as solar activity continues.
“At peak activity, and where skies are sufficiently dark and clear, aurora may be visible across much of the UK, potentially without the need for photographic equipment. However, a waxing gibbous Moon may hinder visibility in some areas,” a spokesperson said.
The clearest skies are forecast <a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.Overover northern Scotland and northern England, though conditions may not be ideal. Viewing is best in dark, rural locations with minimal light pollution.
How to spot and photograph the aurora
While auroras can be faint to the naked eye in the UK, smartphones are often able to capture the colours <a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.Moremore vividly.
- Seek dark skies away from city lights.
- Allow your eyes to adjust for 20 minutes.
- Use your phone’s night or long-exposure mode to boost visibility.
What causes the Northern Lights?
The Royal Museums Greenwich explains that solar storms eject vast clouds of electrically charged particles into space. Some of these collide with Earth, where they are funnelled towards the magnetic poles.
Astronomer Tom Kerss added:
“These particles slam into atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere and essentially heat them up. We call this process ‘excitation’, but it’s very much like heating a gas and making it glow.”
More displays expected in coming years
The Northern Lights have become increasingly visible in the UK as the Sun approaches its solar maximum — the peak in its 11-year cycle of activity.
Krista Hammond, Met Office space weather manager, said:
“Forecasts can change rapidly, so we encourage the public to stay updated with the latest information.”
As solar activity rises, more frequent aurora events are expected across the UK in the years ahead.
