Northern Lights May Be Visible to the Naked Eye This Weekend
Keep your eyes peeled this weekend with a chance to see the Northern Lights and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower in dark skies.
This weekend offers a rare opportunity to witness the Northern Lights, as several solar storms are expected to hit Earth, potentially creating a stunning display in the night sky. The Northern Lights, typically difficult to see with the naked eye in the Netherlands, might become visible in dark locations due to the increased solar activity. The sun has been more active recently, with large spots and solar flares contributing to three likely solar storms set to arrive this weekend.
To increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, it's best to head to a dark location with minimal light pollution and a clear view of the northern horizon. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy, so it's advisable to monitor the weather conditions closely. The moon, currently a crescent, won't interfere much with the visibility.
In addition to the Northern Lights, the Perseid meteor shower is also peaking this weekend, with the best viewing expected from Sunday night into Monday morning, when up to 65 meteors per hour might be visible.
If you venture out to catch a glimpse of these celestial events, remember to be considerate of other observers, as car lights and other artificial lighting can spoil the view for others. For real-time updates and tips on viewing locations, you can follow Northern Lights hunters on social media and check their monitoring page for the latest forecasts.