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Original poster

Northern lights in the UK

54 replies

HowdoIgetbacktothe80s · 27/02/2023 11:13

For as long as I can remember, my dream is to witness the Northern Lights with my very own eyes.
The plan was to go to Norway for my 50th (which is next month) in the hope of catching a glimpse of the elusive wonder. However, due to health issues and lack of funds this won’t happen (and probably never will).
So I nearly peed my pants when on the news this morning they say that due to a solar flare the Aurora Borealis was, last night, seen in various places across the U.K. more areas than ever before.
However, I am on the Essex/Suffolk boarder so am probably not going to be so lucky as some but will be keeping my eyes very much peeled over the next few days.
Have you seen the Northern Lights in the U.K.? Did you see them last night and is there anywhere such as Scotland etc where I may be able to fulfil my dream and see them on U.K. soil, one day in the future?

OP posts:
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wellthatsinterresting · 27/02/2023 11:16

We didn't see them, way too much light pollution

Is it a one night only deal?

I did see Jupiter and Mars and a star that is flashing red and green (although my eye couldn't distinguish the red but the green was Amazing!)
called Sirus. They are visible the next couple of days, I don't have the time or space to get the (childs) telescope out though, I probably should.

did you get a glimpse?

cocksstrideintheevening · 27/02/2023 11:17

You can often see them in Scotland and NI.

Apparently they were visible as far down as Oxfordshire last night.

ComtesseDeSpair · 27/02/2023 11:17

I’ve seen them in glorious colour from Uist, although that’s still quite a trip to make. But can be done by train or care and boat so maybe easier for you? Also saw them a couple of times in the Scottish Borders - but not impressively enough that I’d say it was worth a specific trip there to see them.

Nubbled · 27/02/2023 11:42

I saw them last night (Scotland) the sky is very clear and they are forecast for tonight too.

MovinOnUp · 27/02/2023 11:44

Last night, They were apparently amazing where I live.
The one night I got to sleep early.
I'm staying up to see if I can spot them tonight.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 27/02/2023 11:58

They are often visible from Scotland and Northern England. Sometimes with high activity they are visible from the south too. I would suggest 2 apps, Aurora Watch UK and Glendale. Both very good for alerts when levels are high. There is a good chance of high levels tonight but these things often fizzle out. Alerts from the app are live, as in of out tasks you levels are high then it is for right now and not later so you will get alerts in the day too. Glendale is handy as users can input of they are seeing anything which builds a live map for you.

Remember what you see by eye is not what you see on camera. Further south especially you will need a clear view of the horizon, don't expect it to be overhead. You may only see white wisps by eye which look green on photos.

I'm forever missing them in the UK as I prefer sleep! Even yesterday I saw the alert but there had been so much rain I didn't bother but had I gone out I would probably had seen them!

Have seen them in Finland though.

PilarPalabundar · 27/02/2023 12:01

Highly recommended Glendale App and Aurora hunters UK on Facebook - people were seeing them in Norwich

PilarPalabundar · 27/02/2023 12:01

Last night. Sorry posted too soon!

LakeTiticaca · 27/02/2023 12:33

My nephew lives in the far north of Scotland and he sent some pictures last night. It was utterly amazing!!

heldinadream · 27/02/2023 12:39

Gorgeous excited thread of mumsnetting weather watchers with lots of fab pics OP! From last night and will be posted on again tonight I'm sure.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/weather/4751840-aurora-alert-now

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 27/02/2023 13:07

Im in Alberta, Canada. They were epic
last night

Northern lights in the UK
willowtree66 · 27/02/2023 13:13

We had an amazing show of them last night on the Moray coast.

Northern lights in the UK
Redannie118 · 27/02/2023 13:16

I live in Northumberland and they are very easily viewed along the coast. As most of Northumberland is a protected dark sky park we have no light polution.

BocolateChiscuits · 27/02/2023 13:17

I have a clear memory of seeing them in Newcastle when a child (likely late 80s), with the sky looking like green waves were lapping at it. We were round a relatives and looking out of the window.

None of the rest of my family remember it, so maybe it didn't happen. But it seems an unusual thing to imagine. I remember relatives explaining it was the 'Northern Lights' because I had no clue what they were.

Poblano · 27/02/2023 13:18

They were visible here in mid Wales last night. Expected to be again tonight if it's clear.

Anotherusernamethisweek · 27/02/2023 13:29

Do you think they might reach South Devon? I heard they were visible in Cornwall last night, but maybe that was on the north coast. I'd love to see them.

NumericalBlock · 27/02/2023 13:38

You may be lucky, somebody got a photo of them over Stonehenge last night! I'm close to you and hoping to catch a glimpse of something.

wishingchair1 · 27/02/2023 13:41

What sort of time would you see them (just planning what time I can go to bed !!)

PseudoBadger · 27/02/2023 13:43

Could you get to north Norfolk coast tonight?

MadisonAvenue · 27/02/2023 13:43

Someone put a photo of them taken from her bathroom window in the town a mile away from us, we’re more rural here so would’ve probably seen them from the common behind us had I not been on a train travelling back from Wembley. I had two Aurora alerts - one amber and one red while on the train.

yodaforpresident · 27/02/2023 13:44

I have seen them in Northern Ireland - apparently there was quite a spectacular display last night.

peerie · 27/02/2023 13:47

Look through a camera/take a photo, the colours will look much stronger.

museumum · 27/02/2023 13:47

the north norfolk coast looks clear tonight - cromer sort of area. the best places are looking northwards over the sea (so no light pollution).

Whyishewearingasombero · 27/02/2023 13:50

Seen in Dorset last night!

PseudoBadger · 27/02/2023 13:51

I'm trying to find a dark spot in Herts to get to tonight