Northern Lights In Southern England

[naomi24]

I can't ever recall the lights being visible in southern England but they seem to be appearing quite often now.  Is it as a result if changes in our climate or something else - or am I just not remembering accurately?

[sandyRoe]

Are they do do with sunspots and clear nights?

[Lie-in King]

I've never seen them down here - or anywhere, but I've never really travelled.  I had a look after sunny-dave's thread but no joy -

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1869342.html

[douglas9401]

To do with a massive solar storm, apparently.

[ladybirder]

Here you go. A friend was showing it to me on her phone this morning.

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/national/24313462.northern-lights-sightings-possible-friday-night-light-show/#gallery0

 

[ladybirder]

Sorry, ^ is of the wrong picture.

Here is the correct Southern area one.

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24313459.northern-lights-sussex-best-photos-aurora-borealis/#gallery0

 

[rowanwitch]

Sunspot / solar flare activity follows a fairly regular cycle,  we are currently in a high activity period.

[jno]

yes, there's an 11-year cycle and 2024/25 is supposed to be a peak, which would help. They are indeed very rarely seen in the south, so your memory's fine.

[Ellipsis]

Not climate change, except that if it's a clear night you've got a better chance of seeing it.

[Old_Geezer]

https://www.livescience.com/space/the-sun/gargantuan-sunspot-15-earths-wide-shoots-powerful-x-class-flare-toward-earth-triggering-radio-blackouts

 

[Old_Geezer]

Seeing nowt at present. 😕

[237SJ]

I`ve seen the Northern Lights many times - they have always just appeared as a wishy washy pale green (from altitude) The cameras on modern mobile phones can catch images of them, even they don't look like that to the naked eye.