The Northern lights

dependencies

Guest
We would like to see the Northern lights during our planned trip to Scotland next year.

northern-lights_1009160c.jpg



Can anyone tell us the most likely time of year and weather conditions when they might be seen,
and if anyone could recall where they viewed them that might be handy info as well,
I mean beyond the glare of a city's lighting presumably what else?

thanks Richard
 
Last edited:
Polar lights

I thought northern lights where only visible above the polar circle in winter (when it's dark all day).
e.g. Norway: Lofoten, Tromsö, Norland, Lappland.
It is only in a very few occasions northern lights have been seen at lower latitudes. Maybe some times at the Orkneys and Shetlands, but I doubt it.
 
I could be wrong before I start :rolleyes:
but as I understand it somewhere in the highlands of Scotland it has been seen,
seem to remember they were only visible in certain conditions but cant remember what they might have been
 
I used to see them from N Ireland (E of Derry), usually in the summer around 0300... Solar flares seem to play an important part. Can be visible from as far S as Yorkshire
 
Anyone know a way of best predicting their appearance then :)

Thats the trouble with nature, it can't be relied upon....
 
At times of extreme solar activity is the best chance you have, and, if you;re very quick I read yesterday that there has been a huge solar flare and its heading our way in the next 36 hours! , I looked into driving North 3 years back but the outlook was very poor chance of seeing them, from memory there is a 6 year solar cycle which should mean for the next 3 years they should be reaching a high chance of activity. You don't have to be within the arctic circle to see them at sea level but obviously the nearer the better and its the magnetic pole thats important which is farther South than the geographical one,cold,clear nights are favourite but its still a bit of a lottery, good luck.
 
Belgian said:
I thought northern lights where only visible above the polar circle in winter (when it's dark all day).
e.g. Norway: Lofoten, Tromsö, Norland, Lappland.
It is only in a very few occasions northern lights have been seen at lower latitudes. Maybe some times at the Orkneys and Shetlands, but I doubt it.
Click to expand...

Hiya Leo;), apparently , you get to see the lights from Old Aberdeen:eek:, well, it says so in the song:rolleyes::D:cool:

YouTube - The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen
 
I think it was 3 years ago we were able to see the NL's clearly in dundee, mid winter, about 10pm iirc,

as said it down to atmospherics and solar activity so purley good luck if you happen to be in the right place at the right time I'm afraid
 
Back in the 60s they were visible in Suffolk one summer - I remember them well but not the year.
 
Reckon its one of those things we'd all like to see once in our life
 
We very occasionally see them here in Stranraer, thats about as far south as you can get in Scotland.
 
northern lights

soz can't give you a link but if you enter 'the northern lights in moray firth' in google and look down two or three sites theres writing bout the lights click on there and you will find all you need to know bout them:)
 
Last edited:
oooooh just seen this, I'm of to look those details up now



ta' :rolleyes:
 
"The Far North of Scotland has the same latitude as Moscow (Russia) and Stavenger (Norway) but is more easily accessible.
It's advantage of Northern latitude along with the complete absence of street lamps mean regular sightings of the Northern lights "Aurora Borealis" With good timing you have a chance of experiencing one of the world's most magnificent natural phenomena: the Northern Lights.

The Northern night sky dancing with red, yellow, green, blue and violet streamers, arcs and rays. The best time to see the Northern lights are the crisp, clear winter nights from October through to the end of March between 10 pm and 3 am"

Thats pretty much the info I was hoping for thanks
 
Northern Lights in Scotland.

In Scotland, the lights appear more often from autumn to spring. They are called in Scots gaelic Fir Chlis which is nimble man or merry dancer. Two places on the mainland are reckoned the best to see them, & they are the furthest point at Dunnet Head, or over on the Moray Firth. Aberdeen was the place when "that" song was written but is now overtaken by "light pollution. Happy hunting !
 
Further South

Hi all

It's of little help really, but in late October or very early November 2003 I stood with my ex on the beach at Porthtowan in Cornwall and watched the sky filled with the ephemeral glow of the Northern Lights. It would've been about midnight to 2am. Scared the hell out of us to start with - not what you expect to see down here.....

I'm planning a little run around Scotland (especially Skye) this winter - I'd not thought before, must try to see them at the other end of the country!
 
Northern Lights

I have also seen them from Cornwall,dont think it happens to often that far south.I would discribe it as a large curtain of shimmering light.
 
The Department of Communications at Lancaster University has a project to study the Aurora.

You can sign up to a mailing list to get alerts of predicted activity.

See: Welcome to AuroraWatch

AndyC
 
hake said:
I have also seen them from Cornwall,dont think it happens to often that far south.I would discribe it as a large curtain of shimmering light.
Click to expand...
Saw them in Cornwall?

Had you been drinking a lot of scrumpy that night?
 
Back in the seventies I was on deep sea trawlers, fishing off Iceland, North Cape, Russia, Spitzbergen etc, and it is one of the most profound experiences - same as being close to dolphins.
I used to spend as much time as possible watching it when it was visible, changing shapes, changing colours, just amazing. I hope you get to see it one day.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top