What causes the aurora<\/strong><\/h2>The northern lights are created<\/a> by the Earth’s magnetic field interacting with the solar wind, making the aurora<\/a> notoriously unpredictable.<\/p>There are two times of year when the Solar System is best arranged for the northern lights \u2013 from January-March and September-October \u2013 but even then there\u2019s no guarantee the aurora will appear on a given night.<\/p>
Currently the UK is seeing beautiful Northern Lights displays even in southern parts of the country, where normally you might not expect to see the aurora.<\/p>
It is possible to get a day or two’s warning, however, using northern lights’ forecast sites such as Solarham<\/a>, Space Weather<\/a> or Space Weather Prediction Centre<\/a>.<\/p>You can find out more in our guide on how to predict an aurora display<\/a>.<\/p>![\"Monitoring](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/07\/Met-Office-Space-Weather-Operations-Centre-cd7f8f1.jpg\" "\\"Monitoring")
Monitoring solar events at the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre. Credit: The Met Office<\/figcaption><\/figure>These websites measure the strength of the solar wind, which in turn shows how strong the auroral activity is likely to be and how far south it will come \u2013 an important factor as only stronger storms will come far enough south that people will be able to see the aurora in the UK.<\/p>
The predicted strength of the aurora is rated using the Kp index \u2013 Kp 7 are likely to be visible throughout Scotland while the stronger (but rarer) Kp 9 events may come as far down as southern England and Wales.<\/p>![\"How](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/11\/how-predict-aurora-1024x683.jpg?fit=800%2C534\")
An image of aurora captured from Oxfordshire, UK on 22 June 2015. Credit: Mary McIntyre<\/figcaption><\/figure>Where in the UK can see the aurora?<\/strong><\/h2>Auroral displays are most reliably seen in the \u2018auroral oval\u2019 that extends from 60 to 75\u00baN (which is above all but most the northern most tip of the UK) but stronger storms do come further south.<\/p>
Normally you’ll want to head as for north as you can, meaning the best place in the UK to see the aurora is Scotland.<\/p>
The northern most Scottish Islands just sneak into the auroral oval, and so have the most reliable showings, but the mainland is far enough north that Kp6 and 7 storms are visible<\/p>
The best places to stargaze in Scotland<\/a> are away from the cities, which means you’ll be able to make out the subtle lights much better, and give the greatest chance of seeing the aurora in the UK.<\/p>![\"Aurora](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/02\/stonehenge-aurora-social-1024x538.jpg?fit=800%2C420\")
Aurora borealis over Stonehenge, the prehistoric site in Wiltshire, UK. Credit: Westend61 \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>There are several good observing areas in northern England (Kielder Forest<\/a> and the Lake District) and Northern Ireland (e.g. Malin\u2019s Head, Davagh Forest<\/a>) that report aurora sightings several times a year, so its worth keeping an eye on the aurora forecast if you live in the area.<\/p>In the midlands and south of England and Wales, strong displays have been seen as far south as Cornwall during good periods of solar activity, like we’re currently seeing.<\/p>
Wherever you go to see the Northern Lights in the UK it\u2019s best to suss out a dark sky site with a good view towards the north, as this is the direction the aurora will appear.<\/p>
Always make sure the location is safe and you have permission to be there, particularly if you are planning on camping overnight.<\/p>![\"Aurora](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2020\/10\/Aurora-Night5-1-6e6b261.jpg\" "\\"Aurora")
The aurora can sometimes be seen in the skies over Kielder Observatory, Northumberland. Credit: Kielder Observatory<\/figcaption><\/figure>What equipment do you need to see the aurora?<\/strong><\/h2>Watching the aurorae means being outside, at night, so it\u2019s important to wrap up warm with multiple layers if you’r observing during a cold spell.<\/p>
If you’re planning on photographing the aurora<\/a>, you\u2019ll need a DSLR or bridge camera as well as a tripod (see the section below).<\/p>It\u2019s a good idea to practice using your camera with your gloves on before you go and make sure you know where all the buttons are so that you can operate your equipment in the dark.<\/p>
You also might want a remote shutter, extra memory card and a full charged spare battery (keep this in an internal pocket \u2013 your body heat will help hold its charge).<\/p>
A red-light torch and a pair of binoculars will be useful for doing a spot of stargazing while you\u2019re out waiting for the aurora.<\/p>
Finally, make sure you have food and water to keep you going throughout the night.<\/p>
Read our full guide on what equipment you need for an astronomy trip to the Scottish Highlands<\/a> or other remote area.<\/em><\/p>![\"Achavanich](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/02\/hotshots_0-d60e5c3.jpg\")
Achavanich Aurora by Gordon Mackie, Caithness, UK. Equipment: Canon 760D DSLR, Sigma 10-20mm lens, Tripod.<\/figcaption><\/figure>What does the aurora look like?<\/strong><\/h2>The aurora is famous for photographs of its luminous colours, however these colours are often much fainter to the naked eye and are easily washed out by light pollution or a bright Moon.<\/p>
The aurora often first appear as a slowly shifting patch or stream of cloud floating across the night sky.<\/p>
These can appear white to the human eye, so if you\u2019re not sure if you\u2019re looking at the aurora, take a quick photo will help reveal the green colour and reassure you about what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>
Don\u2019t be disheartened if the aurora look dim at first, as they usually build and brighten as the evening progresses.<\/p>
Keep vigilant, as the aurora can quickly change, going from barely visible, to a dancing show of colour within a few moments \u2013 it is this very changeability that makes the aurora such a magical sight to track down.<\/p>
There are two times of year when the Solar System is best arranged for the northern lights \u2013 from January-March and September-October \u2013 but even then there\u2019s no guarantee the aurora will appear on a given night.<\/p>
Currently the UK is seeing beautiful Northern Lights displays even in southern parts of the country, where normally you might not expect to see the aurora.<\/p>
It is possible to get a day or two’s warning, however, using northern lights’ forecast sites such as Solarham<\/a>, Space Weather<\/a> or Space Weather Prediction Centre<\/a>.<\/p> You can find out more in our guide on how to predict an aurora display<\/a>.<\/p> These websites measure the strength of the solar wind, which in turn shows how strong the auroral activity is likely to be and how far south it will come \u2013 an important factor as only stronger storms will come far enough south that people will be able to see the aurora in the UK.<\/p> The predicted strength of the aurora is rated using the Kp index \u2013 Kp 7 are likely to be visible throughout Scotland while the stronger (but rarer) Kp 9 events may come as far down as southern England and Wales.<\/p> Auroral displays are most reliably seen in the \u2018auroral oval\u2019 that extends from 60 to 75\u00baN (which is above all but most the northern most tip of the UK) but stronger storms do come further south.<\/p> Normally you’ll want to head as for north as you can, meaning the best place in the UK to see the aurora is Scotland.<\/p> The northern most Scottish Islands just sneak into the auroral oval, and so have the most reliable showings, but the mainland is far enough north that Kp6 and 7 storms are visible<\/p> The best places to stargaze in Scotland<\/a> are away from the cities, which means you’ll be able to make out the subtle lights much better, and give the greatest chance of seeing the aurora in the UK.<\/p> There are several good observing areas in northern England (Kielder Forest<\/a> and the Lake District) and Northern Ireland (e.g. Malin\u2019s Head, Davagh Forest<\/a>) that report aurora sightings several times a year, so its worth keeping an eye on the aurora forecast if you live in the area.<\/p> In the midlands and south of England and Wales, strong displays have been seen as far south as Cornwall during good periods of solar activity, like we’re currently seeing.<\/p> Wherever you go to see the Northern Lights in the UK it\u2019s best to suss out a dark sky site with a good view towards the north, as this is the direction the aurora will appear.<\/p> Always make sure the location is safe and you have permission to be there, particularly if you are planning on camping overnight.<\/p> Watching the aurorae means being outside, at night, so it\u2019s important to wrap up warm with multiple layers if you’r observing during a cold spell.<\/p> If you’re planning on photographing the aurora<\/a>, you\u2019ll need a DSLR or bridge camera as well as a tripod (see the section below).<\/p> It\u2019s a good idea to practice using your camera with your gloves on before you go and make sure you know where all the buttons are so that you can operate your equipment in the dark.<\/p> You also might want a remote shutter, extra memory card and a full charged spare battery (keep this in an internal pocket \u2013 your body heat will help hold its charge).<\/p> A red-light torch and a pair of binoculars will be useful for doing a spot of stargazing while you\u2019re out waiting for the aurora.<\/p> Finally, make sure you have food and water to keep you going throughout the night.<\/p> Read our full guide on what equipment you need for an astronomy trip to the Scottish Highlands<\/a> or other remote area.<\/em><\/p> The aurora is famous for photographs of its luminous colours, however these colours are often much fainter to the naked eye and are easily washed out by light pollution or a bright Moon.<\/p> The aurora often first appear as a slowly shifting patch or stream of cloud floating across the night sky.<\/p> These can appear white to the human eye, so if you\u2019re not sure if you\u2019re looking at the aurora, take a quick photo will help reveal the green colour and reassure you about what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p> Don\u2019t be disheartened if the aurora look dim at first, as they usually build and brighten as the evening progresses.<\/p> Keep vigilant, as the aurora can quickly change, going from barely visible, to a dancing show of colour within a few moments \u2013 it is this very changeability that makes the aurora such a magical sight to track down.<\/p>Where in the UK can see the aurora?<\/strong><\/h2>
What equipment do you need to see the aurora?<\/strong><\/h2>
What does the aurora look like?<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Photographing](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2020\/10\/04-1-5ed4291-e1616413782110.jpg\" "\\"Photographing")
![\"UK](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/02\/hs_0-b18150d.jpg\")