Where and how to get the most out of the celestial display that is the Northern Lights

If you look up into the sky tonight you might be lucky enough to see a dazzling display by the Northern Lights thanks to a huge surge in solar activity.

For this rare event, experts say those stargazers living in the north of the UK stand the best chance of seeing them. The celestial spectacular is predicted to light up the skies of Scotland and Northern England on Thursday night and Friday morning.

The reason for change in solar activity is a coronal mass ejection – a cloud of charge particles – on Wednesday which was the second largest to be thrown off the sun in its 11-year solar cycle, according to the British Geological Survey.

The particles from this activity then head towards the Earth’s magnetic field in the upper atmosphere where they collide.

These particles then cause a change in atoms that release light creating the dazzling auroral displays, known as the Northern Lights.

[Related gallery: The spectacular Northern Lights]

Because the coronal mass ejection was so big they are expected to be seen at lower latitudes than normal.

This means that stargazers further south stand a chance of seeing this heavenly light show, but its visibility will all depend on the strength of the solar wind carrying the particles and the strength of impact on the magnetic field.

Geomagnetic data analyst Sarah Reay told Yahoo! News: “A coronal mass ejection arrived this morning [Thursday] at 11am, so we anticipate an increase in solar activity and expect a greater chance of seeing the Northern Lights.”

[Related link: Space storm could hit GPS systems and satellites]

2012 is predicted to be one of the best years yet to view the Northern Lights due to the peak in solar activity.

Astronomer Robin Scagell said that there may be more solar activity to come within the next few days meaning there is the potential for further chances to see the Northern Lights.

Top viewing tips

1. For a better glimpse of the aurora borealis, look towards the northern sky or head north. Traditionally, people believe that the best places to view the Northern Lights are the very tip of Scotland or the icy tundra of the Arctic Circle. However, experts predict that Thursday night’s display could be seen as far south as Yorkshire.

2. Keep away from urban areas for the darkest night skies. As it’s a full moon, the glow may hamper the display.

3. Clear skies allow for the best views so before venturing out, check your local weather forecast.

4. The Northern Lights can be seen at anytime in the night sky. The hours around local midnight are best. Displays may last from a few minutes to a few hours at a time, so make sure you give yourself enough time to see it.

5. When taking a photograph, astronomer Robin Scagell said the aurora can be photographed well using a digital camera with an ISO setting of 1600.  Remember to turn the flash off first.

6. Find a rural area away from street lights and pollution. The National Trust has a list of the best spots on its Website to go stargazing, including Stonehenge. The further south the lower the likelihood of seeing the light display.

North

Buckstones Car Park
Marsden Moor, Yorkshire

Friar's Crag
Lake District, Cumbria

Midlands

Mam Tor
Peak District, Derbyshire

South

Bignor Car Park
Slindon Estate, West Sussex

Dunkery Beacon
Holnicote Estate, Exmoor

Echo Mount
Knole, Kent

Black Down
Sussex

Northern Ireland

Divis Mountain
Belfast

Wales

Penbryn Beach
Cardigan

Scotland

Galloway Forest Park
Dumfries and Galloway

Sighthill Park
Glasgow

New Lanark Roof Garden
Lanark