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Original poster

Am I the only person who didn’t see the norther lights?

104 replies

Trycod · 11/05/2024 20:57

I live in Reading but didnt bother to go outside cause I assumed light pollution would prevent me from seeing anything. Plus I have an elderly cat that tends to bolt out the door.

Sad that I missed it as it is all over social media.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
VeraForever · 11/05/2024 21:15

I missed them and I ventured out at the most opportune time too. Saw nothing.

Firefly1987 · 11/05/2024 21:15

I didn't know about it til after 12 and I couldn't see anything then 🙁I didn't try with my phone though but certainly nothing with the naked eye. I think maybe I just missed them by half hour. Will be looking again tonight (earlier) and hoping for more luck.

takemeawayagain · 11/05/2024 21:16

I had no idea it was happening and have no idea how I didn't know about it. Now everyone has pictures all over my FB - but yesterday no one said a word!

Original poster
Trycod · 11/05/2024 21:17

For anyone in Reading

Am I the only person who didn’t see the norther lights?
OP posts:
MooseBeTimeForSnow · 11/05/2024 21:17

I’m in Northern Canada, so this should have been a shoe-in. Sadly, cloud and smoke from a local wildfire out paid to any decent viewing.

maddening · 11/05/2024 21:17

There is a really good Facebook group and the guy who runs it is a proper northern lights expert - cheshire northern lights hunters - he is good at predicting when and where you should see them.

Damnloginpopup · 11/05/2024 21:19

Foggy as fuck here on the coast in Lowestoft. We drive 10 miles inland and it wasn't clearing.
Daughter saw them in Norwich though.

Lovely and clear tonight, hopefully!

RoseBucket · 11/05/2024 21:21

I sent my daughter of a video of the dark sky and a photo taken at the same time, the video was just dark sky, the photo was stunning streaking pinks and greens. You need to see it through a lens, I did it from 11.30 pm until about 1am. Always wanted to see them, they were only visible to the naked eye briefly but to the camera a couple of hours.

KvotheTheBloodless · 11/05/2024 21:21

DH woke me up to see them. It was eerie and cool, but nowhere near as spectacular as the photos - apparently cameras are better at picking them up than the naked eye.

Allmarbleslost · 11/05/2024 21:21

I was asleep and so gutted to have missed them. They've been on my bucket list since forever.

Timeforachocolate · 11/05/2024 21:22

takemeawayagain · 11/05/2024 21:16

I had no idea it was happening and have no idea how I didn't know about it. Now everyone has pictures all over my FB - but yesterday no one said a word!

Same here. Very disappointed with friends who did not say but had enough time to drive quite a distance to get amazing photos. The same friend that would think nothing of sharing other, less important news at any time fo the day or night!! No idea if will see anything tonight. In Essex.

Newuser75 · 11/05/2024 21:24

Did anyone see them without looking through the phone or camera?
Im not hugely bothered about seeing them like that but I'd love to see them with the naked eye. Or is that just not possible in uk.

schloss · 11/05/2024 21:26

Newuser75 · 11/05/2024 21:24

Did anyone see them without looking through the phone or camera?
Im not hugely bothered about seeing them like that but I'd love to see them with the naked eye. Or is that just not possible in uk.

Yes we could easily see them yesterday without a phone or camera.

FoleyHuck · 11/05/2024 21:26

Newuser75 · 11/05/2024 21:24

Did anyone see them without looking through the phone or camera?
Im not hugely bothered about seeing them like that but I'd love to see them with the naked eye. Or is that just not possible in uk.

Even when I saw them in Iceland some years ago they were much, much more visible through a camera than with the eye. Friends here in Jersey report seeing them with the naked eye last night though, after 10/15 minutes of their eyes adjusting to the dark.

socks1107 · 11/05/2024 21:28

Newuser75 · 11/05/2024 21:24

Did anyone see them without looking through the phone or camera?
Im not hugely bothered about seeing them like that but I'd love to see them with the naked eye. Or is that just not possible in uk.

Yes I did see them without a camera, especially the pink colour

SabreIsMyFave · 11/05/2024 21:30

schloss · 11/05/2024 21:26

Yes we could easily see them yesterday without a phone or camera.

Show quote history

Yes for sure. Phones/cameras intensify the colour, but it is definitely possible to see well with the naked eye. I saw purple/pink/light blues with the naked eye. But I live quite deep into a rural area with no light pollution. (North Midlands.)

MenopauseSucks · 11/05/2024 21:31

I was asleep last night!
I'm going out tonight to my local park, probably around midnight as it's a clear night plus the majority of our street lights are turned off by then so hopefully less light pollution.

ssd · 11/05/2024 21:32

I didn't either

PTSDBarbiegirl · 11/05/2024 21:33

Nope, I missed them too and they were at their most spectacular above where I am. Didn't even know it was predicted but dp spent ages taking pics of the gorgeous moon and clear sky! Oops.

OldTinHat · 11/05/2024 21:34

I didn't see them either. And I holidayed in Iceland to see them, and didn't, then it happens on my doorstep in a 'dark skies' area of the SE and I couldn't be arsed to get out of bed.

Sigh...

mitogoshi · 11/05/2024 21:35

Tonight should be almost as good. Look at least an hour or two after nightfall and you phone is the key to filter the blue light

OldTinHat · 11/05/2024 21:37

Which way do we have to look? North, I'm assuming??

Newuser75 · 11/05/2024 21:37

@SabreIsMyFave @schloss @socks1107 thanks! I wonder if they will make an appearance tonight!

catlady7 · 11/05/2024 21:40

Newuser75 · 11/05/2024 21:24

Did anyone see them without looking through the phone or camera?
Im not hugely bothered about seeing them like that but I'd love to see them with the naked eye. Or is that just not possible in uk.

Yes I saw them with naked eye 😊

Gettingbysomehow · 11/05/2024 21:40

I am incredibly upset - I didn't know anything about it. If I knew I'd have headed for Salisbury plain and Stonehenge down the road. It would have been epic from there. I'm going to sulk for a whole year now.