Aurora Borealis visible across parts of UK on Halloween night

Stargazers across the United Kingdom were treated to a display of the aurora borealis on Saturday night, October 31, 2026. The phenomenon, also known as the northern lights, was visible in several regions as cloud and rain cleared southwards.

Regional Sightings

Parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland were positioned to catch the display. Specific sightings were reported in several locations:

• Scotland: A bright green display was observed in Nairn, Highland, as well as in Jedburgh, Scottish Borders. A very bright green display was also spotted in Busta, Shetland Islands.
• Isle of Wight: Residents reported seeing shades of pink stretching across the night sky.
• Wales: Bright colours were seen stretching across the sky in Dolgellau, Gwynedd.
• Cumbria: The aurora was observed reflecting off the water in Pooley Bridge.

Aurora activity continued into Sunday night, though reports indicated the displays were less intense than the initial Saturday night event. The Met Office stated there is a "slight" chance of those in the north of Scotland, and at similar magnetic latitudes, seeing the northern lights again on Thursday night due to changing solar conditions. The Met Office also noted that sightings could remain possible during periods of clear skies until Tuesday.

The Science of Aurora Colours

Experts state the spectacle is caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth's atmosphere. When these particles are guided by Earth's magnetic field towards the poles, they collide with gases high in the atmosphere, releasing energy as light. The specific colour depends on the type of gas hit and the altitude of the collision:

• Green: Occurs between 60 and 120 miles (100 and 190km) above Earth when solar energy collides with oxygen.
• Red: Formed when solar particles hit oxygen at higher altitudes, specifically from 150 miles (240km) up.
• Purple: Occurs between 60 and 100 miles (100 and 160km) up when solar energy hits nitrogen.
• Blue: Described as the rarest colour, appearing below 60 miles (100km) when solar energy hits nitrogen.

Advice for Skywatchers

For those attempting to view the aurora, stargazers are advised to head to remote areas, as light pollution can obscure the view. To increase the chances of seeing the aurora borealis, observers should look toward the north.

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Sources

• bbc.com: Northern Lights dance across UK sky on Halloween night - BBC Weather
• independent.co.uk: Aurora borealis: Where and when you could see the northern lights in the UK this week | The Independent
• uk.news.yahoo.com: Did you see it? Stunning photos of Northern Lights that painted Island's skies pink - Yahoo News UK

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.