What Are the Northern Lights?

A clear, simple and enjoyable guide to one of nature’s most magical shows

The Northern Lights also known as the Aurora Borealis are one of those rare moments in life that make you stop, breathe and look up.
People travel as far as Iceland, Norway and Canada to see them… yet some nights, even Teesdale, Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale get a glimpse of the glow.

This guide explains what the Northern Lights really are, why they happen, why the colours appear, and how Teesdale sometimes sees them in a way that makes sense whether you’re 8 or 80.

No complicated science. No confusing jargon.
Just a fun, friendly, grown-up explanation that anyone can enjoy.

So… What Exactly Are the Northern Lights?

Let’s imagine the Earth is wearing a giant invisible shield.
Now imagine the sun is a huge campfire constantly throwing sparks into space.

Those sparks are called solar particles and travel millions of miles and hit the top of Earth’s atmosphere.

And when they do?

✨ The sky lights up.
✨ Colours appear.
✨ Curtains of light ripple and twist.

That glowing, shimmering, colourful sky is the Northern Lights.

It sounds magical, but it’s also real physics just told in a way that doesn’t make your head hurt.

Where Do the Colours Come From?

This is the part that surprises most adults.

When the particles from the sun meet the gases high above us, they glow in different colours, a bit like different bulbs lighting up:

  • Green – the most common colour

  • Pink and purple – appear during strong displays

  • Red – rare and powerful

  • Blue – extremely rare and often faint

Each colour tells you what gas in the sky the particles are hitting.

Atmosphere + solar particles = nature’s biggest light show.

Why Don’t We Always See the Northern Lights Like the Photos?

This is the number one question everyone has.

Most of the time, the Northern Lights in the UK don’t look bright green or pink to the human eye.
Instead, you might see:

  • a pale mist

  • a glowing patch of sky

  • faint streaks or beams

  • a grey or white arc on the horizon

Your eyes struggle with colour in the dark but your camera doesn’t.

That’s why you sometimes hear people say:

“I couldn’t see much…
but my phone got bright greens and purples!”

It’s normal. It happens everywhere in the world, not just Teesdale.

Why Can Teesdale See the Northern Lights?

You might think only the Arctic gets the Northern Lights.
But during strong solar storms, the aurora dips much further south.

That’s when places like:

  • Barnard Castle

  • Middleton-in-Teesdale

  • Bowlees

  • Grassholme Reservoir

  • Cow Green Reservoir

suddenly find themselves under a glowing sky.

The reason is simple:

🌌 Teesdale is dark. Properly dark.

Low light pollution means:

  • you see more stars

  • faint colours show more easily

  • long exposures work beautifully

The North Pennines is officially a Dark Sky Discovery Site, which makes Teesdale one of the best areas in England to stargaze.

How Do the Lights Travel This Far South?

Every now and then, the sun has what’s called a solar storm a burst of energy that sends billions of particles flying into space.

Think of it like the sun “breathing out” suddenly.

When one of these storms hits Earth:

  • the aurora becomes stronger

  • the colours spread

  • and the Northern Lights can reach northern England

That’s why Teesdale sometimes sees displays that surprise even the experts.

The last few years have been particularly active, which means our chances are even better.

What Do the Lights Look Like in Teesdale?

A typical Teesdale aurora can look like:

✨ a soft green glow
✨ beams rising up behind the hills
✨ purple edges on the strongest nights
✨ a misty arc across the northern horizon
✨ a full sky display during rare “red storms”

Even when the colours are faint, the experience feels incredible, quiet, still and strangely calming.

Teesdale’s wide horizons and open moorlands give you a huge view of the sky.
You don’t realise how big the world feels until you’re standing at Grassholme or Cow Green, looking up at a glowing sky.

Why Aurora Is Easier to Photograph Than to See

Your camera can:

  • collect light for longer

  • see colours your eyes miss

  • pick up faint detail

  • brighten dark areas

Even a basic phone camera can capture the Northern Lights in Teesdale if you use Night Mode.

📸 How to Photograph the Northern Lights in Teesdale

When Is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights?

The easy rule is:

Cold + Dark + Clear = Best Chance

More detail:

  • Best time of year: September to March

  • Best nights: when the moon is small or not visible

  • Best weather: clear skies with no cloud cover

  • Best time: anywhere from 7pm to 2am

  • Best location: away from street lights

Even if it’s cold, even if it’s late, an aurora night is always worth it.

Fun, Simple Facts (Great for Adults & Kids)

✨ The Northern Lights happen more than 60 miles above your head
✨ They can move like curtains, waves or slow smoke
✨ They never make a sound (despite the myths)
✨ The Earth has Northern and Southern Lights
✨ The same storm that lights up Norway can light up Teesdale
✨ Space weather is real, like a weather forecast for the sky

Why Seeing the Northern Lights Feels Good for the Mind

There’s something grounding about standing in the dark, wrapped up in a coat, staring at a glowing sky over Teesdale’s hills.

It makes you:

  • feel calmer

  • breathe slower

  • forget the noise of the day

  • realise how big the world is

  • appreciate nature in a different way

That quiet moment, the pause is exactly what Outdoor Exploring Family is all about.

Sometimes, you just need to look up.

🔗 Explore More

Continue your journey through Teesdale’s night sky:

🧭 Discover Teesdale

our complete guide to waterfalls, walks and wild places across the dale.