If you’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights in action, you don’t necessarily have to head to the Arctic. There are some places in the UK where this natural phenomenon has been known to occur, even as far south as Pembrokeshire.
Can you see Northern Lights in southern UK?
When and where are you most likely to see the Northern Lights? As the UK is south of where the natural aurora belt occurs (Norway/Iceland/Greenland), it takes a severe or extreme geomagnetic storm (Kp8-9+) to bring the belt southwards directly over the UK. This is a very rare occurrence.
What is the furthest south you can see the northern lights?
To observers at far-northern latitudes, the Lights are a frequent occurrence, but many who live in more temperate climates have never seen them, even though they are occasionally seen as far south as 35 degrees North latitude.
Where in the UK can the Northern Lights be seen?
Predominantly the northern lights are best witnessed in Scotland, North England, North Wales and Northern Ireland. However under severe space weather conditions, the lights can be seen throughout the UK.
Can you see aurora in the south?
The Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis are seen in the northern and southern hemispheres respectively. Aurorae are generally confined to higher latitudes but large displays associated with violent magnetic disturbances can be seen from as far south as southern Britain.
Is there a southern Northern Lights?
In the north, the phenomenon is called the aurora borealis or the northern lights. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the aurora australis, or southern lights. The name is different and it turns out that the view from each pole can be different too.
Do you have to face north to see the Northern Lights?
The best way to see the northern lights is to head north. Most of the molecular activity that causes the northern lights happens near the Earth’s magnetic poles. For that reason, the Arctic region is an ideal location for hunting the aurora. In fact, some of the best light shows happen near or above the Arctic Circle.
Is 2023 a good year for Northern Lights?
There are no guarantees, but stronger displays are therefore more likely around the spring equinox on March 20, 2023 and around the autumn equinox on September 23, 2023.
Is 2022 a good year to see the Northern Lights?
“There will continue to be aurora viewing opportunities in 2022,” Steenburgh said. “The solar cycle is indeed ramping up and as solar activity increases, so do the chances for Earth-directed blobs of plasma, the coronal mass ejections, which drive the geomagnetic storms and aurora.”
Why are the Northern Lights so far south?
Because the phenomena occurs near the magnetic poles, northern lights have been seen as far south as New Orleans in the western hemisphere, while similar locations in the east never experience the mysterious lights.
Can you see the Northern Lights from Cornwall?
The Northern Lights could be “even more visible” across parts of the UK this winter – and Cornwall is one of the places on the list.
Can you see the Northern Lights with your naked eyes?
Yes. If the Northern Lights are strong enough you can see them with your naked eye. However, most photographs of the Northern Lights are taken with special camera setups, and at least a long shutter speed.
When can aurora be seen UK?
The best time to see aurora borealis in the UK is from late September through until early March. The autumn equinox, which takes place in September, is a key time to see the Northern Lights due to geomagnetic and solar activity.
When can you see the Southern Aurora?
The Southern Lights can be viewed all year round – although most commonly during winter (May to August) and during the spring equinox in September. Your best chance of witnessing this phenomenon is to be as far south as possible – which means Tasmania.
What is the Southern Aurora called?
Called the southern lights, or aurora australis, it’s the southern cousin to the aurora borealis and can best be seen from the most southern of landmasses, such as Tasmania, New Zealand and Antarctica.
How far away can you see northern lights?
The Aurora Borealis is most commonly seen in the polar regions, within a radius of 2,500 km around the magnetic poles. This area is known as the Auroral Zone or the Auroral Oval. For the Northern Lights, the further north you travel the more likely you are to catch a glimpse of the aurora.
What is the difference between the northern lights and aurora borealis?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a spectacular, colourful display of light commonly seen in the night sky in the northern hemisphere. Auroras in the southern hemisphere are known as the southern lights, or aurora australis.
Where can I see aurora Southern Lights?
- Great Barrier Reef.
- Daintree Rainforest.
- Scenic Rim.
- Purnululu National Park.
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.
- Litchfield National Park.
Which is more beautiful northern lights or Southern Lights?
These beautiful light displays can be witnessed in the far reaches of both hemispheres. They are both spectacular and entrancing. You tend to find that the Aurora Borealis, in the North, gets more publicity, but the fact is that the Southern Lights can be just as impressive.
What happens if you touch Northern Lights?
The aurora is emitted between 90 and 150 km in altitude (i.e. mostly above the ‘official’ boundary of space, 100 km), so ungloving your hand inside an aurora would likely be fatal (unless a fellow astronaut immediately reattaches your glove and repressurizes your suit).
How can I guarantee to see the Northern Lights?
Unfortunately, there is no 100% guarantee of spotting the Northern Lights. Being in the right place at the right time helps i.e. northern Norway in winter, which is why Hurtigruten feels confident enough to offer its unique Northern Lights Promise. But there are forecasts available.