Northern Lights UK red alert issued tonight as AuroraWatch says they will be visible anywhere

The Northern lights may be visible from July 6 to July 8 (Owen Humphreys/PA)
-Credit: (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA)


AuroraWatch UK, a service run by the Space and Planetary Physics group at Lancaster University's Department of Physics, has issued a 'red alert', indicating that it is "likely" the Northern Lights will be visible in the UK on Friday, June 28.

The phenomenon occurs when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere around the magnetic poles, primarily within a band known as the aurora oval, covering latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.

However, when activity is strong, this expands to cover a greater area which explains why displays can occasionally be seen as far south as the UK.

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Despite the alert, AuroraWatch UK also issued a note of caution, stating: "Please note that even if we issue an alert, local conditions will still need to be right for you to see aurora. For more information on what conditions you'll need, please read our blog entry."

The service also clarified why it issues alerts during the daytime, explaining: "Our alerts are completely automated; they are issued when the disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field reaches certain thresholds. This, of course, can occur at any time of the day even though the aurora itself can only been seen during darkness.", reports Wales Online.

The warning from AuroraWatch UK
-Credit:AuroraWatch UK

"We choose to still issue alerts during the daytime for a couple of reasons. Firstly, alerts during the daytime give you prior notice that activity is increased and, if such activity continues into the evening, it gives you time to prepare for aurora hunting later on."

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