Where to see the Aurora Borealis tonight after ‘extreme’ storm stuns Britain

The aurora borealis dazzled huge areas of Britain overnight following an “extreme” geomagnetic storm. The Aurora Borealis was visible over much of the country but was best seen in Whitley Bay on the north east coast.

The natural light show was also seen in Suffolk, Kent, Hampshire and Liverpool and even made a surprise appearance in parts of London. Wondering if you can catch the Northern Lights tonight after missing Friday’s display?

ITV News weather expert Chris Page suggests there is still a chance. “The activity is expected to slow down, however there is a good chance (clouds permitting) that you could see it again tonight,” he explained.

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Meanwhile, Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said that while the conditions that made the northern lights visible on Friday could be repeated on Saturday, the exact locations remained uncertain. We still need to work out some details about exactly where it will be,” noted Mr Dixon.

He noted that a mix of clear skies and increased solar activity reaching Earth could increase the likelihood of witnessing the aurora. For the best viewing experience, watch between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM.

According to Aurora Watch UK, places like Birmingham, the Black Country and Staffordshire are on the shortlist for a second show.

Here’s how to spot the Northern Lights:

• Look North: The aurora is drawn to Earth’s polar regions, so you may not see it directly overhead. Instead, look to the northern horizon where it may dance.
• Use your eyes and cameras: You can see the aurora with the naked eye, but cameras often capture it better because they can adjust to different wavelengths better than our eyes. Allow at least 10 minutes for your eyes to adjust.
• Find a dark, open space: To avoid light pollution, look for locations away from city lights. Open fields, parks, or remote areas with unobstructed views of the northern horizon are ideal for aurora viewing.
• Be patient: Seeing the aurora requires patience and persistence, as it can be unpredictable and may not appear every night, even during periods of high activity. Be prepared to wait hours if necessary.
• Use long exposures for photography: If you’re interested in photographing the aurora, use a camera with manual settings and a tripod to capture long exposures. Experiment with different shutter speeds and ISO settings to get the best results.
• Stay up late: The auroras are often most active in the late evening to early morning hours, so plan to stay up late or get up early for the best chance of seeing a spectacular display.

Why do the northern lights occur?

The aurora borealis, or Aurora Borealis, is caused by charged particles from the sun, mainly electrons and protons, colliding with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, usually oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions emit light at different wavelengths, creating vibrant displays of color in the sky that often appear as curtains, arcs, or streaks of light.

The colors are determined by the type of gas particles involved and the altitude at which the collisions occur. Green is due to interactions with oxygen, red is from oxygen in the upper atmosphere, while blue and purple are due to nitrogen interaction.