From Stirling to Cornwall, vibrant waves of colour rippled through our skies over the last two nights. Normally only seen in the UK’s northernmost regions, the aurora borealis (aka the Northern Lights) put on a beautiful performance for stargazers across the country.
If you missed the stunning illuminations, you might just be in luck. Apparently, some areas could get one final visit tonight. Here’s what you need to know.
What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights generally appear in high latitude regions such as the Arctic or Scandinavia.
Their colourful glow is caused by a stream of charged particles that have escaped the sun (known as solar wind) interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field. The particles hit our atmosphere at high speed and combine with oxygen and nitrogen to create a multicoloured burst. A green glow is associated with oxygen while nitrogen causes the appearance of purple, blue and pink.
When can I see the Northern Lights?
The Met Office says that the aurora could once again be visible in some parts of the UK tonight (Tuesday February 27).
What’s the best time to see the Northern Lights?
The lights will be most vibrant when skies are their darkest and clearest but can be seen almost as soon as the sun has set (around 5.30pm at this time of year).
How can I see the Northern Lights?
Conditions need to be right if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse. Areas with clear skies and minimum light pollution should offer the best views, with those in northern parts of the country most likely to see the display. Last night, however, it was visible in southern areas including Kent, South Wales and Cornwall.
A Met Office spokesperson said: ‘Predominantly the Northern Lights are best witnessed in Scotland, North England, North Wales and Northern Ireland. However, under severe space weather conditions, the lights can be seen throughout the UK.’
Is there a live-stream?
There is no live-stream available for this particular display, but if you want to keep up to date with the movements of the aurora, you can check out the Aurora Watch website.
Will the aurora be visible again tonight?
The lights won’t be as far-reaching or intense as they have been the last couple of days, but the Met Office says that their activity in the north, particularly northern Scotland, could continue into the early hours of Wednesday morning before fading back to ‘background levels’.
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