Aurora Borealis visibility in Northern Europe

Heightened solar activity has led to widespread visibility of the Aurora Borealis across Northern Europe and the United Kingdom.

In Denmark, the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) forecasted high visibility over Jutland and Funen due to two approaching solar storms. Experts advised that if the lights appear greyish to the naked eye, smartphone cameras might better capture the green hues. While clear periods were predicted for stargazing, some fog was expected to develop later in the night.

Simultaneously, intense solar activity caused the lights to be visible much further south than usual in the United Kingdom, reaching areas such as Devon, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, and Norfolk. The phenomenon was driven by coronal mass ejections, which release streams of charged particles that interact with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. This interaction produces various colors, with oxygen typically creating green and red hues, while nitrogen produces blue and purple colors.

The Met Office indicated that sightings could continue through Tuesday, provided skies remain clear. Forecaster Greg Dewhurst noted that while displays might be weaker in some areas on Sunday, they could strengthen again by Monday night. Experts note that 2026 is expected to be a peak year for aurora spotting due to a natural 11-year solar cycle.