A stunning display of the Northern Lights is anticipated over the upcoming weekend across the UK, thanks to recent solar flares boosting the potential for a mesmerising spectacle. The celestial display, scientifically known as aurora borealis, is expected to be most visible in regions of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England. However, there is a chance for the lights to extend further south, similar to a display in May this year, due to heightened solar activity. The Met Office has highlighted that Saturday night presents the best opportunity for aurora sightings in more southern regions, particularly across central England.
For those eager to witness the enchanting hues of green and purple dancing in the night sky, the optimal viewing time is late at night – typically from 11 pm onwards. Silvia Dalla, a solar physics professor at the University of Central Lancashire, advises maximising chances of viewing the aurora by seeking clear skies and dark locations away from city lights that could hinder visibility. The recent surge in space weather activity is attributed to a significant solar flare observed on Thursday. These lights are a result of solar storms interacting with gases in Earth’s atmosphere.
Nasa’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a massive flare, classified as an X9.0 flare, which signifies the most intense category of solar flares. Such flares and solar eruptions have the potential to affect radio communications, power grids, navigation signals, spacecraft, and astronauts. Professor Dalla explained that these solar activities lead to breathtaking displays of the Northern Lights, with a possibility of a repeat of the remarkable auroral activity witnessed across UK skies in mid-May. Dr. Steph Yardley, a space scientist from Northumbria University, noted the heightened activity in a specific region of the Sun, indicating a likelihood of visible auroras in Scotland and northern England from October 4 to 6.
The anticipation of an extended reach of the Northern Lights this weekend has generated excitement among sky watchers, as they prepare to catch a glimpse of this natural phenomenon painting the night sky with vibrant colours.