Northern Lights Illuminate the UK in Spectacular Photos

 Northern Lights Illuminate the UK in Spectacular Photos

The Northern Lights have once again painted the UK night skies with vibrant colors, captivating observers across the country with stunning images.

Known as the aurora borealis, the lights were initially predicted to be visible only as far south as the Midlands. However, Thursday night showcased the most powerful and widespread display in the UK since May, according to BBC Weather.

Unfortunately, the aurora forecast for Friday night isn’t as promising, with cloud cover and rain likely to hinder visibility.

Sky-watchers in the Shetland Islands may have the best chance of catching a glimpse.

BBC Weather Watchers, along with readers and viewers, submitted nearly 5,000 photos of the Northern Lights following Thursday's display. Here are some of the standout images, featuring both agency shots and snapshots shared with the BBC on social media.

The Northern Lights have been seen across the UK and into continental Europe following an intense G5 geomagnetic storm, the highest rating on the 1-5 scale.

Starting around 7 PM BST on Thursday, many people were able to witness the aurora. After a brief weakening, it intensified again around midnight, lasting until dawn on Friday.

Meteorologists recommend using a long exposure camera to capture the auroras, as they are not always visible to the naked eye. However, many reported seeing some colors even further south without any photographic equipment.

What was once a rare occurrence for those in the UK—a bucket list trip to the Arctic Circle—has become more frequent in recent years. The visibility of the auroras has been especially pronounced in 2024, attributed to the largest geomagnetic storm since 2003, according to Sean Elvidge, a professor of space environment at the University of Birmingham.

Aurora displays happen when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere near the magnetic poles. 

These collisions produce light at various wavelengths, resulting in vibrant sky displays. 

Auroras are typically observed in high polar latitudes and are primarily influenced by geomagnetic storms caused by solar activity.

The UK has experienced more sightings of the Northern Lights in 2024 than in many recent years.

This increase is largely due to the Sun reaching a "maximum" in its 11-year solar cycle. During this phase, the number of sunspots rises, resulting in more Coronal Mass Ejections that send charged particles toward Earth, leading to the formation of auroras.

With heightened solar activity and numerous sunspots, there’s a good chance of more Coronal Mass Ejections heading our way in the coming months.

However, experts indicate that while it will still be possible to see the Northern Lights in the UK after the Sun passes its peak, stargazers should anticipate a "gradual decline" in visibility.