How to See the Northern Lights in the UK: Where, When and How to Photograph Them

You don't always need to fly to Iceland or Norway to see the northern lights. In recent years, the aurora has been seen across much of the UK, sometimes as far south as southern England.

Here's what causes them, and how to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

What are the northern lights?

The Sun constantly sends out a stream of charged particles, called the solar wind. When a strong burst reaches Earth, the particles are guided by Earth's magnetic field towards the poles. There, they hit gases high in the atmosphere and make them glow, a bit like a giant neon sign.

• Green, the most common colour, comes from oxygen.
• Red comes from oxygen very high up.
• Pink and purple come mainly from nitrogen.

When to look

• From autumn to spring. You need dark skies, so the long nights from September to March are best.
• On clear nights. Cloud is the biggest problem in the UK. Check the weather forecast.
• When activity is high. Check aurora alerts and space weather forecasts, such as AuroraWatch UK and the Met Office space weather forecast.
• Late evening to the early hours is often best, but displays can happen any time it's dark.

Where to look

• The further north, the better. Scotland, especially the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland, has the best chances.
• Northern England and Northern Ireland often see strong displays too.
• Find dark skies. Get away from street lights. Dark sky parks, such as Galloway Forest and Northumberland, are ideal.
• Look north, towards a clear, low horizon.

How to photograph the aurora on your phone

Phone cameras are often better at picking up the aurora than our eyes. A faint grey glow to the eye can look green or pink on camera.

• Use your phone's night mode and hold it very still, or use a small tripod.
• Turn off the flash.
• Take a few photos facing north, even if you can't see much.

Common questions

Can you see the northern lights in England?

Yes, during strong displays. They're seen most often in the north, but in recent years strong storms have made them visible across much of England.

Why can my camera see the aurora better than my eyes?

Cameras can collect light for longer and are more sensitive to colour in the dark than our eyes.

How do I get aurora alerts?

Sign up to free alert services such as AuroraWatch UK, and check the Met Office space weather forecast.

What should I bring?

Warm clothes, a hot drink, a fully charged phone and a lot of patience.

Related guides

• Why Do Leaves Change Colour in Autumn?
• The Best Power Banks
• Why Do the Clocks Change?

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