The dazzling Northern Lights illuminated the skies on Thursday night with vibrant pink, purple, and green hues visible across the UK, from the Shetlands to the Channel Islands. People in Wales were fortunate to witness the spectacular natural phenomenon, also known as the aurora borealis, as lights were captured in various locations such as Swansea, Llanelli, Pembrokeshire, and Vale of Clwyd. The breathtaking display left many in awe, and there is a possibility of catching another glimpse of the Northern Lights tonight.
According to the Met Office, there is a chance of seeing the auroras again on Friday night as a “coronal mass ejection from the sun is earth bound” once more. The forecast indicates that the best opportunity to witness the Northern Lights in Wales tonight would be earlier rather than later, as skies are expected to stay dry with clear spells, although more cloud may develop towards southeastern areas later in the evening. The Met Office map shows that the lights could potentially be visible in the UK from 7pm on Friday night, provided it is sufficiently dark at that time, and the phenomenon may last into the early hours if the clouds stay away.
Stephen Dixon, a spokesperson for the Met Office, noted an increase in space weather events in recent months, including the Northern Lights, as the sun approaches the peak of its solar cycle. These awe-inspiring auroras occur due to charged particles colliding with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles, emitting light at various wavelengths and creating captivating displays in the night sky. BBC Breakfast weather presenter Matt Taylor highlighted that a clear night on Thursday facilitated sightings of the lights and cautioned that there might be more cloud cover on Friday night.
The sun operates on an approximate 11-year cycle known as the solar cycle, with peak sunspot activity generating coronal mass ejections that can lead to the visibility of auroras on Earth. These geomagnetic storms originating from solar activity are responsible for the mesmerising Northern Lights, which are typically observed over high polar latitudes but can extend further south. The recent surge in aurora sightings is a testament to the sun nearing its solar maximum, presenting more opportunities to witness this celestial spectacle.
Tonight presents another chance for sky gazers in Wales to witness the enchanting Northern Lights, offering a glimpse into the splendours of the universe and the harmonious dance of cosmic forces. Whether you are in Swansea, Llanelli, Pembrokeshire, or elsewhere in Wales, keep your eyes on the night sky for a potential encore of the captivating auroras that have graced our atmosphere, painting it with vibrant hues and celestial magic.