Why this weekend has been exceptional
Green and purple curtains have been spotted across parts of Britain after elevated solar activity drove a geomagnetic storm on October 10. Sightings were reported well beyond locations that normally see an aurora. The UK Met Office's October 11 space-weather bulletin described two glancing coronal mass ejections and fast solar winds that could enhance the auroral oval around October 10–13. Those conditions create an opportunity, not a scheduled light show. The precise timing, clouds and strength of the Earth's magnetic response determine whether a household actually sees the lights. An image shared from another county is not proof that your own sky will be clear or bright.
The key numbers behind the aurora alert
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center confirmed a G3, or strong, geomagnetic storm on October 10 after a coronal mass ejection reached Earth. The warning covered a specified UTC interval rather than an indefinite all-week storm. The Met Office subsequently described G1 activity as likely around parts of the forecast window, with a chance of G2 intervals and a smaller chance of isolated G3 strength. The Kp scale measures global geomagnetic activity and can help indicate how far south auroral visibility may expand, but it is not a percentage chance that a particular street or town will see the display.
Where in Britain to start looking
Scotland is typically the strongest UK candidate because higher geomagnetic latitudes have a better chance of seeing the auroral oval. Northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales can sometimes become viable during stronger storms. October's exceptional displays have prompted reports from southern England too, but that does not make Devon, Kent or Hampshire equally likely on every subsequent night. A north-facing view away from street lamps and buildings is helpful, especially at a clear coastal location or dark rural site. Always prioritize safe, permitted access over a dramatic photograph; clifftops, remote roads and exposed headlands can be hazardous after dark.
The forecast is not a promise about tonight
Space-weather outlooks are dynamic because incoming plasma clouds do not arrive with perfect precision. A CME may skim Earth's magnetic field, interact strongly or pass with less effect than expected. Clear weather at ground level is just as important as the solar forecast. Before making a long drive, cross-check the Met Office space-weather bulletin, a local cloud forecast and current auroral activity. A Kp alert without open skies is not enough. If the forecast shifts, report what changed instead of keeping yesterday's headline alive as if the conditions were identical.
How to take an aurora photograph on a phone
Stabilise the phone against a tripod or other secure support, enable night mode where available, and keep the flash off. Try several exposures rather than assuming the first image reflects the sky accurately. Modern sensors can capture green and magenta details that are extremely faint to the naked eye, so do not promise that viewers will see the same saturated colours shown in a long-exposure photograph. For a conventional camera, use a wide lens, a stable tripod, manual focus near infinity and a short test exposure. Adjust for the brightness of the aurora so moving curtains do not blur into pale streaks.
Why a solar storm makes colourful light
Charged particles carried by the solar wind interact with Earth's magnetic field, helping excite atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen at high altitudes. The gases release light as they return to lower-energy states. The resulting green, red, violet and bluish colours can vary with the gas and altitude. More energetic solar activity can expand the area where an aurora might be visible. The phenomenon itself is not proof that ordinary viewers face dangerous radiation exposure at ground level, but strong space weather can affect certain satellite, radio and power-system operations. Official agencies issue separate technical warnings for those risks.
What to watch through October 13
The most useful next step is not chasing a social-media forecast that names one guaranteed hour. Check the latest Met Office bulletin on the day of viewing, then the cloud map near sunset and again before travelling. Look for verified local sightings, but remember that camera settings and geography can exaggerate how widely the lights were visible. This report covers an active weather event on October 11, 2026; later forecasts may supersede it. A strong aurora headline attracts attention because the pictures are striking, but the honest answer remains conditional: visibility depends on solar activity, darkness, local weather and location.