Exact time to see Northern Lights revealed – when to look up to the sky

NORTHERN Lights will light up the UK sky for a second evening in a row tonight.

A team of space physicists at Lancaster University will be sharing where the display can be seen in real-time, so you know just when to brave the cold to witness them.

Incredible display of the Northern Lights from South Shields/Souter lighthouse tonight. Sadly thick clouds blocked what would have been an incredible display.SWNS

The Lancaster space physicists will be keeping people informed via Twitter, under the handle @aurorawatchuk.

On Twitter last night, the Met Office wrote: “The Aurora Borealis may be visible as far south as central England tonight where skies remain clear.

“The Northern Lights are also likely to be seen again on Monday night.”

The Met Office has said that the polar lights could appear anytime between 7pm and 4am.

How do I see it?

Firstly, it helps to be in an area with little light pollution.

Rural areas are best for sky gazing.

Auroral displays are most often seen further north, but stronger flares can move south, as spotted by those in Cornwall last night.

Sometimes, aurora can appear white to the human eye, so it can help to take a quick photo on your phone to help reveal the colours.

If you’re planning on photographing the aurora properly, you’ll need a DSLR or bridge camera and ideally a tripod.

Experts have also advised that hopeful watchers not be too disheartened if the aurora look dim at first.

This is because they usually brighten over the course of a few hours.

People should also stay vigilant, as the display can change quickly.

But it’s unpredictability is why the sight is firmly placed on the bucket lists of many.

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