Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

Rosie_Scope

Did anyone manage to catch a glimpse of the northern lights this weekend? 

I tried to have a look, but I think there's too much light pollution in my area to get a good view.

I've been fortunate enough to see them before on my travels a few years ago, so I don't feel like I've missed out too much, but it's pretty cool that some of the country were able to see them so close to home.

Did you see them where you are? Did anyone take any pictures?

OverlyAnxious

I didn't even know it was happening until the day after.  I keep curtains open until going to bed around 11pm though, so think I would have seen them if visible from my location.

66Mustang

I would have liked to have a look but find it hard staying up and we have lots of light pollution as well so it might well have been a fruitless exercise if we did do it

A family member owns a house in rural North Yorkshire and the people staying there were kind enough to take and send a picture, I saw that and it was impressive!!!

Without looking on Wikipedia and going down a rabbit hole again does anyone know how often it becomes visible in somewhere like England??

Rosie_Scope

They're visible up in Scotland more often - every few months I think? but I read somewhere that the last big geomagnetic storm that made them so visible in the south happened back in 2003.

In the BBC article it says the sun is experiencing more activity because it's at a particular point in its 11 year solar cycle, so it could be that we see more soon. Although I'd imagine it's much easier to spot if you live in the country away from all the lights. If we get a good warning that they're coming back I might have to go on a trip somewhere nice and dark to see if I can spot them

66Mustang

@Rosie_Scope

We do have a big hill near us that you can drive up to the top of in a car, it's in some woods and with no light pollution but it's known to be frequented by people who go there for dodgy reasons so I don't know if it would be safe in the middle of the night  

Maybe this could be another reason to justify going to Scotland for a holiday

onedayatatime

Sent my son out into the garden Saturday night for a quick look.
Watched him stand there, look up and around, came back in and just shrugged 🤣. So I think that's a no.

Rosie_Scope

I think half the problem is that it's not as bold as it looks in the pictures as well so I'd imagine some people did see it but it wasn't quite what they expected or they didn't even realise. From what I remember, it's still nice to see live, but it shows up way better on camera.

66Mustang

Here’s the pics I mentioned from remote Yorkshire  

Rosie_Scope

Oooh those are so pretty @66Mustang!

Albus_Scope

I was luckily awake at 3am, so I got to sit outside for a bit and tick another thing off my bucket list.  It was breath taking.  

Rosie_Scope

Woohoo, glad you got to see them @Albus_Scope!