Statistically, this is one of the best times of the year for displays of the northern lights to be visible from our part of the world. As September drifts towards October, solar activity is often enhanced, and we have more chance of seeing the famous aurora borealis from Cumbria and the north of England. That's not to say we WILL see the northern lights. It just means the odds are more in our favour.

The problem is, of course, the Cumbrian weather. There can be a stunning display of the aurora blazing in the sky, but if it's cloudy we won't have a hope of seeing it. But that's out of our hands; all we can do is be ready when the northern lights start to dance, and cross our fingers for a clear sky. If you are a user of social media, Facebook and Twitter are fantastic ways of being alerted when the aurora is visible from Cumbria: Cumbrian aurora-watching groups and skywatching Tweeters will shout out when the northern lights might be visible.

If you don't live online, you'll just have to do it the old-fashioned way: keep an eye on the northern sky on clear nights. A bright display will feature white beams and swaying curtains of pale green, but most displays look just like a subtle pink or green glow above the horizon. Good luck!

Stuart Atkinson

Eddington Astronomical Society of Kendal