Northern Lights UK

Don’t Just Dream of the Northern Lights, Go Out and Catch Them!

Red alert issued for Northern Lights visibility this week—are you ready for a magical night?

Stargazers across the UK are preparing for an enchanting evening as Aurorawatch has issued a red alert for the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. It seems that on August 12, nearly everyone from Cornwall to Scotland could be in for a treat, witnessing this stunning natural light show that has already made multiple appearances this year! It’s time to grab your cozy blankets, maybe your significant other or your best mate, and prepare for a celestial spectacle!

This impressive geomagnetic event might not just be a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence—rumour has it that you can take a peek at the Northern Lights while gorging on a Cornish pasty or even during a cheeky pint in your local pub. Imagine that: an ethereal display of greens and purples illuminating the night sky as you sip your favourite drink! With the Perseid meteor shower also gracing the heavens, it’s a two-for-one celestial bonanza—shooting stars and the aurora in one delightful night!

From Oxfordshire to Wales, the fervor is buzzing with excitement. Reports suggest that spectacular views can occur not only in the northern regions but all the way down to southern England. As geomagnetic activity increases, even the Met Office has joined in on the fun, highlighting the chances of glimmers of the aurora overlapping with meteor showers. So dust off your binoculars or, better yet, your old-school telescope! Tonight, you can witness an extraordinary fusion of the universe’s wonders right from your backyard!

But hold your horses! Just because there's a chance of spotting these gorgeous lights doesn’t mean you should remain cooped up inside. It’s all in the planning—find a dark spot away from city lights, keep an eye on the celestial forecasts, and, of course, be known by all your mates as the one who actually saw the Northern Lights!

Did you know that the Northern Lights are the result of particles from the sun colliding with Earth’s atmosphere? When solar winds strike our planet’s magnetic field, they create this spectacular light show! As for the Perseid meteor shower, it’s considered one of the best meteor showers for its bright meteors, with rates hitting up to 100 shooting stars an hour. So whether you're star-gazing or aurora-hunting—or both—August 12 promises to be a night you'll never forget!