The Northern Lights are one of nature’s most incredible displays. The phenomenon is often observed around the Arctic and Antarctic, with people travelling from every corner of the earth to see it. However, this week Brits are in luck as the nation will get the chance to experience the Northern Lights right from home.
According to the Met Office’s space weather forecast, the lights are expected to be visible across most parts of the UK, from Monday night to Wednesday night. The beautiful phenomenon is caused by collisions between charged particles in the solar wind — streams of particles that race away from the Sun at around one million miles per hour — and molecules in Earth’s atmosphere.
When the solar wind’s magnetic field is opposite to Earth’s, the two fields interact, allowing energetic particles to flow into Earth’s magnetic north and south poles.
During a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), this process intensifies and the auroral band, or annulus, expands, bringing the Northern Lights to lower latitudes where they can sometimes be seen in the UK.
The weather agency wrote: “A fast-moving Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that departed the Sun late on 30 August is forecast to arrive at Earth either late on 1 September or early on 2 September (UTC). Following its arrival, a significant enhancement of the auroral oval is likely, potentially on 3 September.”
The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are most active during the Equinox and Solstice between March and April and September and October. According to the Met Office, this week they will be visible in the UK “potentially without the need for photographic equipment”.
The lights are typically “best witnessed” in Scotland, North England, North Wales and Northern Ireland. However, in “severe space weather conditions” they can be seen throughout the country.
To enjoy the best views you should find areas that have low light pollution and clear skies as a “waxing gibbous Moon may hinder visibilty in some areas.”
Remote areas and north-facing coasts also produce some of the best viewing locations.
