Northern lights seen across UK in spectacular display
On Sunday night, the northern lights were visible in southern England, an uncommon event.
This beautiful phenomenon is produced by charged particles from a solar flare on the Sun that interact with the Earth’s atmosphere.
The resulting displays of green and red hues can usually be observed in Scotland, but rarely in southern regions.
However, sightings were reported in Cornwall, Kent, Norfolk, south Wales, and Northern Ireland on Sunday.
The charged particles emit these colours as they interact with oxygen and nitrogen in our atmosphere, resulting in a magnificent display.
If the skies remain clear, there might be another opportunity to see the aurora on Monday night.
The Sun goes through an 11-year solar cycle, and the last solar minimum was in 2020. Since then, the Sun’s activity has increased, with a solar maximum expected in 2025, which means that more frequent aurora sightings are likely in the years to come.
What are the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)?
The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are a natural light display that occurs in the polar regions of the Earth, mostly in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. They are caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. When these charged particles collide with gases in the atmosphere, they emit colourful light, creating stunning and dynamic displays of green, pink, red, and purple lights in the night sky. The Northern Lights are a beautiful natural phenomenon and attract visitors from all over the world to witness this incredible display.
Are the Northern lights only visible in the UK?
No, the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, are not only visible in the UK. They can be seen in countries located within or near the Arctic and Antarctic regions, such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Canada, Alaska, and Russia. The visibility of the northern lights depends on various factors, including the level of solar activity, location, and weather conditions.
Why are the Northern lights seen more often in Scotland than the rest of the UK?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. These particles are funnelled towards the Earth’s poles, where they collide with gas particles in the upper atmosphere, causing the emission of light.
Scotland, being located further north than England, is closer to the Earth’s magnetic poles, which is where the aurora activity is most intense. Therefore, Scotland is more likely to experience the northern lights than England. However, strong solar activity can sometimes cause the aurora to be visible in more southerly latitudes, including parts of England.
