UK

Northern Lights could appear over parts of the UK this week

Northern Lights could appear over parts of the UK this week

The Northern Lights may make an appearance over the UK over the next couple of nights, after a series of solar flares erupted from the sun. 

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are caused by solar storms interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere.

When solar storms react with atmospheric gases above our north and south magnetic poles, the result is beautiful displays of light in the sky, like the UK saw in May.

Image:
Northern Lights from Hazlemere, Bucks on 10 May

“Over the next couple of days, there’s a chance that we could be seeing the Northern Lights, particularly across northern parts of Scotland in the north of England and Northern Ireland,” Krista Hammond, a space weather expert at the Met Office, told Sky News.

“This is because there’s the potential to see the arrival of a geomagnetic storm.”

The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glow on the horizon at St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the North East coast. Picture date: Friday May 10, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story WEATHER Aurora. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Image:
St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on 10 May. Pic: PA / Owen Humph

Earlier in the week, astronomers spotted two solar flares, which release plasma into space, coming from the sun – a process called a coronal mass ejection.

“Most of that will miss the Earth,” said Ms Hammond.

More from Science & Tech

Read more from science and technology:
‘Most impressive comet of the year’ to burn across sky
Students adapt Meta’s smart glasses to dox strangers
Musk lashes out after ‘summit snub’

‘Will clip the edge of two mass ejections’

“But there’s a chance in the coming nights that we will clip the edge of these two mass ejections, which means you’ve got the potential for the storm which causes the Northern Lights,” she added.

The UK has seen the Northern Lights more than usual in recent months because the sun is in a particularly active part of its cycle.

Edinburgh. Pic: PA
Image:
Edinburgh on 10 May. Pic: PA

Currently in ‘solar maximum’

The cycle lasts around eleven years as its magnetic fields flip, according to Ms Hammond.

Read more: Stargazers share stunning images of aurora borealis

It is currently at the “solar maximum”, meaning there are many more solar flares and solar storms – and the Northern Lights are appearing much further south than usual.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

It’s hard to tell when the solar maximum is ending, so make the most of opportunities to spot the Northern Lights.

Maximum is now to start of next year

“You can’t really tell that you’ve peaked until you’re in the descending phase,” said Ms Hammond.

“But it’s estimated that solar maximum is about now to the start of next year.”