Aurora lights up Dartmoor in a storm of colours

Last night, Dartmoor and surrounding areas were treated to a rare and mesmerising display of the Northern Lights, lighting up the skies with brilliant streaks of green, pink, and violet. 

Known as the aurora borealis, this natural phenomenon captivated stargazers across the region, with stunning images captured and shared widely.

According to the Met Office, the Northern Lights appear as large areas of colour in shades ranging from pale green and pink to red, yellow, blue, and violet. 

The intensity of the display depends on geomagnetic activity, with brighter and more distinct arcs visible in the sky during stronger storms. 

These lights are best viewed in darkness, away from any light pollution, and typically extend from 50 miles to as high as 400 miles above the Earth's surface.

While last night’s aurora was visible across parts of the UK, the Met Office confirmed to The Moorlander that further sightings are likely to be confined to Scotland as the effects of the coronal mass ejection diminish.

“Visibility of the auroras is likely to be more confined to Scotland tonight, as the effects of the coronal mass ejection wanes,” a Met Office spokesperson said. 

“Cloud cover and rain will obscure visibility for some, particularly in western areas, but some visibility is possible elsewhere in Scotland. Chances of aurora sightings on Saturday will be increasingly confined to further north in Scotland.”

The recent surge in aurora sightings can be linked to heightened solar activity as part of the ongoing solar cycle. 

The solar maximum, the peak in the Sun’s 11-year activity cycle, is predicted to occur in 2024. 

This period of increased sunspot activity leads to geomagnetic storms, which trigger the spectacular light displays in Earth's polar regions.

Met Office Space Weather Manager Simon Machin explained: “While the solar cycle doesn’t help determine specific space weather events, what it does is help our forecasters understand the context of their forecasts.  

“In its simplest terms, the solar cycle is linked to the number and intensity of sunspots that are visible on the surface of the Sun. This affects the likelihood of space weather events impacting the Earth.” 

Although the solar maximum will occur in 2024, space weather events, including auroras, can continue for years as the Sun’s activity gradually declines.

For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, conditions need to be just right. The Met Office advises heading to a dark location, far from light pollution, with clear skies. While Scotland offers the best chance of viewing, particularly during strong geomagnetic storms, other northern areas of the UK may also be treated to the display.

It’s important to note that the vibrant colours seen in photographs of the aurora are often more intense than those visible to the naked eye. 

Long-exposure photography captures more light, making the auroras appear brighter and more vivid in pictures than in real life.

As the solar maximum approaches and geomagnetic storms increase, skywatchers may have more opportunities to witness this breathtaking natural light show in the coming months.