If you missed last night’s absolutely unreal display of the Northern Lights over the UK, don’t panic just yet — here’s how to see them tonight.
Thanks to a powerful solar storm, people across Scotland, England, and even as far south as Cork in Ireland saw streaks of pinks and greens across the night sky.
And while Monday was the big show, there’s still a chance the lights will make a return tonight and tomorrow.
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So, if you want to level up your Instagram game with an actual shot of the Northern Lights, here’s what you need to know.
First thing’s first: location is everything
The lights are usually best seen way up north, around Iceland and the polar caps, but when space weather gets extra spicy it can dip down across the whole UK.
Last night, people from the Highlands right down to the Midlands got lucky, and tonight could bring a repeat performance. Northern Scotland and northern England are your best bet, especially if the skies stay clear. That means places like Newcastle, Liverpool and Leeds could see a great display.
The Met Office reckons geomagnetic activity could push the lights further south again, but don’t expect miracles if you’re in central London with 10 Pret signs glowing in your face.
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So, here’s how to see the Northern Lights in the UK tonight
Timing-wise, the British Geological Survey says your best window is between 10pm and 2am, but it can technically show up any time overnight. Basically, this is your excuse to stay up late with your mates and stare at the sky.
The best way to see the Northern Lights in the UK is to find a dark place, away from light pollution such as street lights, and it ideally should be a cloud-free sky. Some of the best spots around the UK are in areas of high elevation (as they’re closer to the magnetosphere), so if you can, head to a high spot.
Now, if you’re hoping to get the perfect shot for the group chat, photography can seriously help bring out the colours. The Royal Photography Society suggests finding somewhere dark and away from streetlights.
Lakes or water give you dreamy reflections, while trees can make great silhouettes. A tripod helps too, unless you want 50 blurry blobs of green on your camera roll.
One thing to keep in mind: the moon is almost full right now, which means it could wash out weaker displays. Combine that with light pollution and your chances do shrink the further south you are.
Even if you don’t manage to catch the Northern Lights in the UK tonight, stargazing under a clear sky is still a vibe.
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