Aurora Chasing: Stunning Photos of the Northern Lights in the North East and Yorkshire
So many of us have been lucky enough to see nature's greatest light show recently
The appearance of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights if you prefer, used to be a once-in-a-life time event. Even a trip to the Arctic Circle doesn’t necessarily guarantee you a glimpse. So to see the Northern Lights from our gardens this year has been a dream come true for many – and in the North East and Yorkshire we’ve had the opportunity more than once. But why?
Astronomers say the sun is reaching the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, which is why the Northern Lights, are more visible than usual. Every 11 years, the sun’s magnetic poles flip, leading to increased activity of the sun and solar eruptions which send charged particles towards the earth, where they collide with gases in the atmosphere, creating the dancing green, red, and purple lights.
Being able to capture this elusive display has been made easier by the use of smartphones, better forecasts and apps to detect the likelihood of a visible aurora, and we’re lucky to live in a region with unmatched remote areas and dark skies, just perfect for getting a better glimpse of the Northern Lights.
And the best news is that, according to scientists, the current 11-year cycle (Solar Cycle 25) is expected to peak in 2025 – so if you haven’t seen the Northern Lights yet, this year could be your year!
Stay up late: The Northern Lights are most active in the late evening.
Do it in the dark: Head somewhere with no or low light pollution.
Take your camera: A camera, even the one on your smartphone, is more sensitive than your eyes and a long-exposure photo will pick up the lights’ pretty colours.
Be patient: Even forecasters can’t know precisely when they’ll come and go.
A special thank you goes to local photographers Andy Wilkinson, John Robert Charlton, Michael Walker, Pix Pete, Tom Wright, Ian Sproat, Laura Heanan, Ellen Paige Leach, Chris Whiles and Stuart Banks for sharing their fabulous photos.
