Aroura

[Neanderphil]

Can anyone see the lights tonight?

[RedLeader]

I saw the Belfast Telegraph talking about them being visible. Seems an off time of year for it.

[Neanderphil]

Well I'm in ballycastle tonight so hopefully I'll get a good view. From what I gather there are 2 massive CMEs yesterday and tonight. Tonight being the better chance of catching it

[whoRya]

Here is a forecast site that may be useful:

Aurora Borealis forecasts

[Rich.H]

The biggest issue for these here I find is that we just do not get enough actual "aurora" this far from the poles. For just plain eye watching it tends to be a bit of a dim glow at best. The only real way to see them at this latitude is with some good quality camera equipment and patience for long exposures.

[Matthew]

I'll be in Donegal tonight, literally the darkest place in existence. I would like a glance at them. 

[Rich.H]

I'll be in Donegal tonight, literally the darkest place in existence. I would like a glance at them.

Head on up to Malin Head if you ca it will probably be your best chance.

[Matthew]

That's where I will be, less than a mile from the point

[LandyLiam]

I might try driving up the Mournes tonight and have a gander north

[whoRya]

Did anyone see anything?  I was running about up around Slemish and could see a few lines in the sky, but between a wee bit of cloud cover (could see the stars through it) and the bright moon there were no discernible colours.

[phil_b]

Dunluce Aurora by Philip Blair's Photos, on Flickr

[Neanderphil]

I was in ballycastle for the weekend and didn't see a thing. Was totally gutted

[Rich.H]

I was in ballycastle for the weekend and didn't see a thing. Was totally gutted

I wouldn't get too disheartened by that result, even in a good dark place about the best you would of seen is similar to the picture above. Even that probably required a long exposure and so to the naked eye you would be lucky to see just a faint glow. Add to all that even the tiniest amount of light pollution would almost totally wash out any hope of seeing an aurora.

The only time I have ever seen anything here was a couple of years ago when there were a lot of solar events making things very active. However then I went to the top end of Malin Head at around 1am and still saw only the faintest glow. It is just one of those phenomena that to see in this country really requires dedication and equipment, for the rest of us though just find some pictures of Greenland and admire it.

[Neanderphil]

Still would have been a sight to,behold

[whoRya]

Dunluce Aurora by Philip Blair's Photos, on Flickr

Nice one Phil, a great location for it.