UNITED KINGDOM

During periods of strong activity, when the Kp-index is high and the aurora oval expands, it is possible to see the northern lights as far south as the UK. Shetland and Orkney lie at the same latitude as Stavanger in Norway and Nunivak Island in Alaska, so there is a good chance of spotting the “Mirrie Dancers” if activity is powerful enough. The Isle of Coll, west of Mull, claims to have a naturally unpolluted starry sky, while the Cairngorms National Park is home to the world’s most northerly Dark Sky Park.

South of the Scottish border, another star-gazing hotspot is the Kielder Observatory (kielderobservatory.org). Throughout winter, experts give talks about the aurora while waiting – hopefully – for displays. In South Wales, the Brecon Beacons National Park has been designated an International Dark Sky Reserve.