Northern Lights in Summer?

[andyo]

Just wondered if the Northern Lights are visible in the far north of UK during the summer - or are they just a winter phenomenon? We are going to the Shetland Isles next June and I wondered if I may be able to get some photos of them during the short nights.

 

[4wd]

I would think so, it's just the dark time available is so short.
They seem to come and go in a matter of seconds and a lot of luck is involved at best of times.

 

[Dryce]

In summer the sun is only just below the horizon during the night when you're as far north as Shetland.

You're basically in twilight rather than proper darkness

 

[Tringa]

Aurora are linked to Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) which are more common during the maximum of the sunspot cycle. The last maximum was, I think, late 2013, but the cycle is 11 years long so during the cycle there will be periods when there are lots of sunspots during the summer and therefore more chance of a CME, and potentially aurora.

However, 4wd is correct the nights in Shetland in summer are so short that the chances of seeing them must be slim, though I would be happy to be corrected.

Dave

BTW Shetland is spectacular - geology in spades and lots of wildlife.

 

[Rocket]

Norfolk Coast line was treated last night, and DAM, I never knew anything about the coming.
photos can be seen here,
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/photo_g...ra_but_will_we_see_it_again_tonight_1_3371065

 

[lightshipman]

You could see northern Lights from Anglesey last night, some said they were visible in South Wales

 

[canon_togger]

No chance of seeing them in June, it never gets dark enough.

 

[iceman101]

i live in orkney it never gets properly dark here at that time and shetland is a bit farther north

 

[iceman101]

this was at midnight in june 2013 View attachment 7530

 

[jerry12953]

I was in Greenland during May - August 1984 (!) and it didn't get dark until early August.

While I was there I met a researcher who was studying the aurora using a detector. He said that they were present but it just wasn't dark enough to see them.

 

[andyo]

Thanks, everyone. Sounds like we are unlikely to see any aurora. Looking forward to the wildlife and geology and a chance to give my new 70D an extended outing.