The Northern Lights have been visible again in Oxfordshire this month.
Stargazers across the country have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, several times already in 2024.
AuroraWatch UK issued a red alert last week to indicate that another sighting may be possible all over the UK in the early hours of last Tuesday morning.
Photographers across Oxfordshire captured stunning shots of the light phenomenon last week with colours of purple and green featuring predominately.
This has prompted residents in the county to ask when and where the Northern Lights can be spotted at their highest visibility.
READ MORE: Here’s when you can see Northern Lights in Oxfordshire TONIGHT
The Northern Lights have been visible in Oxfordshire. (Image: Joe Pickover / PA Wire)
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Oxfordshire?
The Northern Lights are most active from late August through early April in the Oxford area, according to Lumyros.
During these months, the nights are longer and darker, which provides the perfect backdrop for the Aurora Borealis.
The autumn and winter equinoxes, around September and March, often correspond with higher solar activity and clearer skies, which increase chances of spotting the lights.
To see the Northern Lights, you need a clear, dark sky without too much moonlight so it is worth checking the weather forecast for a night that will be partly cloudy.
Completely overcast skies will block your view but the darker the sky means the more visible the lights will be.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire stargazers capture stunning Northern Lights pics
Faint pink pillars at Brill. (Image: Darren Hopkins)
Where are the best places to see the Northern Lights in Oxfordshire?
Lumryos suggests that locals will not be able to spot the Northern Lights from Oxford or other populated, well-lit areas.
Photographers are encouraged to head to a secluded location at least 20 to 60 minutes outside the city for the best views.
One of the best hotspots nearby is the Rollright Stones which is an ancient stone circle in rural Oxfordshire.
Around a 40-minute drive from Oxford, the location is perfect for Aurora viewing.
The Cotswold Water Park is another great spot as the scenic lake district has minimal light pollution and is roughly a 60-minute drive from Oxford.
Blenheim Palace Park’s grounds offer expansive and open views with the location only being a 20-minute drive from Oxford city centre.
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What causes the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights’ colourful glow is caused by a stream of charged particles that have escaped the sun (known as solar wind) interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field.
The particles hit our atmosphere at high speed and combine with oxygen and nitrogen to create a multicoloured burst.
A green glow is associated with oxygen while nitrogen causes the appearance of purple, blue and pink.
Southern areas of Scotland, England and Wales are also sometimes able to catch sight of the aurora, though typically only in rural areas with little light pollution.
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The Northern Lights at Port Meadow. (Image: Antony Steele)
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