There is a chance of seeing the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, in the UK on Sunday evening, experts think. According to Aurora Watch UK’s aurora activity plot there is currently a red alert for the aurora, meaning it is likely that the aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere in the UK.
The Met Office is reporting it’s likely the lights will only be visible across the north of the UK. Aurora Watch UK takes geomagnetic activity measurements from the solar activity monitor network (SAMNET) and AuroraWatchNet magnetometers to automatically detect when it is likely that the aurora can be seen in the UK. A red alert is rare.
According to Spaceweather.com March is the best month to see the northern lights. A 75-year study from retired NASA solar physicist David Hathaway shows that March has more geomagnetically active days than any other month of the year.
On average earth sees six days of high geomagnetic activity in March compared to just three in December. Even so, the Northern Lights are usually only seen in Scotland, parts of northern England, and Northern Ireland.
The lights are caused by energetic particles emitted from the sun. When these particles hit earth the magnetic field funnels them toward the poles, interacting with the atmosphere and depositing energy to create the colourful effect.
Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather tweeted earlier on Sunday afternoon: “A chance of some Northern Lights activity tonight and some clear skies early in the night also. Could fade but one to keep an eye on.” Allan Trow of Dark Sky Wales added: “If people get away from direct lighting and look north then they could catch them. They will be easiest to see on camera including camera phones.”