Latest news with #GreenwichRoyalObservatory
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Met Office reveals best time to see Northern Lights in UK this week
The Northern Lights could make yet another appearance in UK skies this week, the Met Office has said. The stunning night sky display, also known as the aurora borealis, is typically only seen in northern latitudes, like Sweden, Norway, and northern Canada. However, the Northern Lights are more intense and frequent at the moment thanks to the solar cycle. The Sun is currently at the peak of its 11-year cycle, with high levels of activity from the Sun increasing the chance of spectacular aurora displays until around mid-2025.. READ MORE: Gardeners urged to hang scrunched-up pieces of tin foil around their gardens READ MORE: Mourners turn town red as hundreds attend funeral of 10-year-old Manchester United fan Poppy Atkinson Last week, the northern hemisphere entered astronomical spring following the spring equinox. The Northern Lights are more common during an equinox due to an alignment of the Earth's magnetic field with solar wind, the charged particles that trigger geomagnetic storms and, in turn, aurora displays. After the Met Office forecast an "enhancement in solar activity" on Sunday evening (March 23), the weather agency has said aurora sightings might be possible for northern parts of the UK again this week. The Met Office said: "There is a continuing chance of aurora sightings at times across northern Scotland this coming week, given clear night-time skies. This is due to further possible weak coronal mass ejections glances, along with another faster stream of solar winds arriving later mid-week." According to Met Office aurora maps, the best time to see the Northern Lights is on Tuesday evening (March 25). The aurora could be visible from around 9pm and peak at around midnight (March 26). The Northern Lights could also be visible the following night, with the aurora forecast to peak at midnight (March 27). The Northern Lights are caused by large explosions of activity from the Sun, which throw out huge amounts of charged particles – called solar wind – into space. Massive explosions on the Sun are known as 'coronal mass ejections', according to the Greenwich Royal Observatory. These particles stream away from the Sun at around one million miles per hour, the Met Office says. When they are captured by the Earth's magnetic field they can collide with gas molecules in the atmosphere in an event called a geomagnetic storm. Light is emitted from these collisions at various wavelengths, forming spectacular colourful displays in the sky. In its four-day space weather forecast, the Met Office said a "coronal hole fast wind" could arrive from March 25 onwards, bringing a chance of "minor" geomagnetic storms.
Sky News
25-02-2025
- Science
- Sky News
Planetary parade: How and when to spot seven planets in UK skies in rare alignment
Not one, not two, but seven planets are due to line up in the night skies later this week in a relatively rare planetary parade. The phenomenon will see Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Mercury align, with some of the planets visible to the naked eye. Keen astronomers may have already spotted six of the planets in late January or sky earlier this month, but on 28 February, Mercury will also join the parade. This will mean a potential of seven planets on display at once, the Greenwich Royal Observatory says. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the phenomenon and how to maximise your chances of spotting all seven planets. Why do the planets align? In simple terms, as the planets in our Solar System orbit the sun, they occasionally line up in space, according to NASA. The term planetary alignment can refer to apparent line-ups with other planets, the moon, or bright stars. When this happens, the planets always appear along a line or an arc, NASA adds, due to the way they are viewed from Earth. How rare is it? "Planetary alignments, where multiple planets appear close together in the sky, occur periodically but are relatively rare," Dr Shyam Balaji, researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King's College London, said last month. He added alignments of six or more planets happen approximately every few decades, making Friday's potential line-up even rarer. NASA adds Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are frequently seen in the night sky, but the addition of Venus and Mercury are particularly noteworthy. Will UK skies be clear enough to see the planets? There's good news, and somewhat bad news - depending on where you are in the UK. Sky News meteorologist Jo Robinson says there's high pressure over the UK on Friday, meaning the weather looks good for people getting ready to watch the night skies. Most places will also be dry with clear spells, although Robinson warns temperatures will be chilly, with the Met Office predicting "widespread" frost on Friday morning. Unfortunately, Ireland, Northern Ireland and northwest Scotland may be quite cloudy ahead of rain moving in on Friday night, Robinson says. But, she adds, the forecast is still "several days away, so timings may change". Any delay in the rain moving in will allow for clearer skies. An added bonus to the upcoming planetary alignment is there will also be a new moon on 28 February. This occurs when the moon is directly between the sun and the Earth, with its shadowed side pointing towards Earth. It means that those looking into the skies on Friday will be less affected by light pollution from the moon, and may even be able to get a good look at some galaxies, the Greenwich Royal Observatory says. Will you need a telescope? Five planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, are typically visible to the naked eye. However, this does not guarantee they will be visible this Friday. The Greenwich Royal Observatory says in late February it becomes much more difficult to see Saturn as it will be very low on the southwestern horizon after sunset. NASA adds Mercury could also be difficult for observers to see without the aid of a telescope, as it may be too faint and too low. It says to see Neptune a telescope is absolutely necessary, while Uranus, although technically bright enough to detect with good eyesight, is "quite faint and requires dark skies and precise knowledge of its location among similarly faint stars", so a telescope is recommended. Other top tips for planet-spotters To help keen observers maximise their chances of seeing as many planets as possible, Dr Balaji, from King's College London recommends the following tips: • Find a location away from city lights • Use current astronomical software or websites to find a planet's latest position • Exercise caution when observing near sunrise or sunset • Check reliable astronomy websites for updated viewing information as the date approaches.
