Tech

Why are we seeing the northern lights more? Reason for aurora borealis sightings in the UK --[Reported by Umva mag]

THE NORTHERN lights are a glorious display of colourful shimmers across the night sky. Usually, people travel to northern locations such as Norway, Finland or Sweden to catch a glimpse of these lights. The Northern Lights are also known as the Aurora Borealis The lights are created by charged particles from the sun clashing with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere There’s no guarantee you’ll see the lights but there are ways to improve your chances What are the Northern Lights? The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis are caused by charged particles from the sun clashing with gases in the Earth‘s atmosphere. Aurora refers to a natural light display, typically visible in high latitude regions such as the North and South poles. But, areas closest to the aurora oval are the most likely places for a northern lights sighting. However, there’s no guarantee you’ll see them, even after travelling all that way. This adds to the Northern Lights’ rarity and makes them a highly sought after item on one’s bucket list. The reason the lights become visible is when the solar wind, carrying the charged particles merges with the Earth’s magnetic field. Greens and pinks and purple colourings then leak from the sky and display can last for hours. Although it must be dark and the area must have little pollution. Why are we seeing the northern lights more? Back in 2003 a mega geomagnetic storm happened which increased our chances in the UK of seeing the northern lights. It usually takes a large geomagnetic storm to see the lights. These storms come from the sun and work on a cycle of 11 years. When the sun reaches its 11 year cycle, sunspot activity is increases which creates more Coronal Mass Ejections. More charged particles are then sent to Earth and that triggers the light. Since the sun is currently reaching its 11 year cycle, we are seeing more of the lights, but once the cycle passes, we will see less. In 2024, high attitude areas such as Scotland, the North of England, the North of Wales and Northern Ireland have had the clearest displays. However, many people have managed to see the lights all over the UK. A Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon even said people in Scotland could be in with a chance to see the lights again this weekend. Sometimes the naked eye can’t see the lights Always look towards the northern horizon when you’re trying to find a sighting How do I capture the best photos of the northern lights? To see the northern lights best, first make sure you’re in a low pollution area and it’s night time. Sometimes it can be difficult for the naked eye to see the lights because of light pollution or twilight. If this is the case, your phone camera could do a better job of picking up the light. Then, look towards the northern horizon. If you’re serious about seeing the lights, you might want to set up a tripod and use a long exposure length. Long exposure length involves keeping your camera shutter open longer than usual. Or, if you just have your phone on you, you can use the Live Photos feature or a long exposure app.

Oct 11, 2024 - 10:22

Why are we seeing the northern lights more? Reason for aurora borealis sightings in the UK --[Reported by Umva mag]

THE NORTHERN lights are a glorious display of colourful shimmers across the night sky.

Usually, people travel to northern locations such as Norway, Finland or Sweden to catch a glimpse of these lights.

Alamy Live News. 2Y9JXNW Minster on Sea, Kent, UK. 10th Oct, 2024. UK Weather: a stunning display of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) seen in Minster on Sea, Kent as G4 geomagnetic storm hit the Earth Thursday evening into Friday morning. Credit: James Bell/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check. — The Northern Lights are also known as the Aurora Borealis

The Northern Lights at Lindisfarne Castle and Holy Island in Northumberland The aurora was strong all night and could be seen with the naked eye, 11/10/24. This is a panoramic image using a number of photos merged together, a single photo couldn't get all the sky in. Please credit: Ian Sproat/pictureexclusive.com Standard reproduction rates apply, contact Paul Jacobs, Picture Exclusive to arrange payment - 07923 866166, pictureexclusive@gmail.com — The lights are created by charged particles from the sun clashing with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere

a bridge with the aurora borealis behind it — There’s no guarantee you’ll see the lights but there are ways to improve your chances

What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis are caused by charged particles from the sun clashing with gases in the Earth‘s atmosphere.

Aurora refers to a natural light display, typically visible in high latitude regions such as the North and South poles.

But, areas closest to the aurora oval are the most likely places for a northern lights sighting.

However, there’s no guarantee you’ll see them, even after travelling all that way.

This adds to the Northern Lights’ rarity and makes them a highly sought after item on one’s bucket list.

The reason the lights become visible is when the solar wind, carrying the charged particles merges with the Earth’s magnetic field.

Greens and pinks and purple colourings then leak from the sky and display can last for hours.

Although it must be dark and the area must have little pollution.

Why are we seeing the northern lights more?

Back in 2003 a mega geomagnetic storm happened which increased our chances in the UK of seeing the northern lights.

It usually takes a large geomagnetic storm to see the lights.

These storms come from the sun and work on a cycle of 11 years.

When the sun reaches its 11 year cycle, sunspot activity is increases which creates more Coronal Mass Ejections.

More charged particles are then sent to Earth and that triggers the light.

Since the sun is currently reaching its 11 year cycle, we are seeing more of the lights, but once the cycle passes, we will see less.

In 2024, high attitude areas such as Scotland, the North of England, the North of Wales and Northern Ireland have had the clearest displays.

However, many people have managed to see the lights all over the UK.

A Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon even said people in Scotland could be in with a chance to see the lights again this weekend.

Alamy Live News. 2Y9NM9F Bingham, Nottinghamshire, UK. 10th October, 2024. The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, on display in the skies over Bingham, Nottinghamshire. Neil Squires/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check. — Sometimes the naked eye can’t see the lights

a windmill is silhouetted against a pink and purple sky — Always look towards the northern horizon when you’re trying to find a sighting

How do I capture the best photos of the northern lights?

To see the northern lights best, first make sure you’re in a low pollution area and it’s night time.

Sometimes it can be difficult for the naked eye to see the lights because of light pollution or twilight.

If this is the case, your phone camera could do a better job of picking up the light.

Then, look towards the northern horizon.

If you’re serious about seeing the lights, you might want to set up a tripod and use a long exposure length.

Long exposure length involves keeping your camera shutter open longer than usual.

Or, if you just have your phone on you, you can use the Live Photos feature or a long exposure app.

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.