northern lights

[viking954]

Hi can anyone tell me when northern lights happen,or have i missed them please

[ducati]

Usually at night

[starfish]

the ias a site aurora watch that emails you when they are expected thats the one i use

[Dog-eared]

http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/

[gingernut]

http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/
I received a red alert via this website earlier this morning so hopefully northern lights should be putting in an appearance tonight. Let's hope it's a clear night and conditions will be right for a good viewing.

[astroman]

I received a red alert via this website earlier this morning so hopefully northern lights should be putting in an appearance tonight. Let's hope it's a clear night and conditions will be right for a good viewing.

I'm afraid the geomagnetic storm that produced the red alert and aurora last night has subsided. It was a pretty good display.....
15841

......... although I missed the best part of it :roll:
The aurora are linked to things happening on the Sun so it is not really possible to predict a good chance of aurora in the UK much more than a couple of days in advance. Note that there are numerous factors that affect auroral displays, so they can be somewhat unpredictable on the night. I personally check the website www.spaceweather.com (http://www.spaceweather.com/) every day or two. The left side of the webpage has details on what the Sun is doing and the current auroral activity. As a bonus it is updated daily with interesting astronomy/space stories and photos.

Other websites that might be of use to those interested in learning about the aurora or when to see them are:
Basic info on aurora and seeing them from the UK:
http://www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk/education/viewing_aurora.html (http://www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk/education/viewing_aurora.html)
http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/introduction (http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/introduction) - aurorawatch UK

Real time solar and aurora data:
http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ (http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/) - sign up for free aurora alerts
www.auroraspy.co.uk (http://www.auroraspy.co.uk/)
www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapN.html (http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapN.html)
www.spaceweather.com (http://www.spaceweather.com/)
www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast (http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast)
From Caithness and Sutherland there is a good chance of seeing aurora when the Planetary K-index (Kp value) is 5 or higher. With a clear northern horizon it may also be possible to see aurora low on the northern horizon when the Kp value is 3 or 4.

Detailed info for those that want to know more:
http://odin.gi.alaska.edu/FAQ/ (http://odin.gi.alaska.edu/FAQ/) - answers to FAQ about the aurora
www.swpc.noaa.gov/Aurora/ (http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/Aurora/) - tips on viewing aurora
www2.gi.alaska.edu/asahi/asahimap.htm - aurora "classroom"

[Mystical Potato Head]

Just to prove that aurora's can be seen from the town under full moonlight here's one i took last night from my garden.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/sat5_photos/IMG_3929flickr-1.jpg

[soulsurfer]

Thanks for the info. I'll be having some late nights from now on.