Aurora nights

Learn about the famous Northern Lights (Aurora)

Our most popular event… The Northern Lights! What are they? How do we see them?

They have influenced fairy tales and folklore for millennia, shaped communities and religious beliefs, provided civilisations with incredible stories of gallant valour and past spirits.

At Kielder Observatory we aim to integrate the spiritual and the scientific and tonight we will explore how science has discovered the processes that create the Northern Lights. Learn about the incredible energy that the sun releases second by second and how this energy interacts with the Earth’s atmosphere to gives us a light show like no other…

The Northern Lights have been observed from the Kielder Observatory many times. Tonight you will learn not only the science but also how to find them so that when you leave you will be proficient in knowing when and where to look.

After the talk you will enjoy a tour of the Observatory, see the telescopes and meet our team of astronomers. The team will be on hand to answer all your questions and to help you use our telescopes to observe a range of objects including craters on the moon, distant galaxies, nebulae and star clusters. Join us on our observation deck and gaze at the glittering stars of the Milky Way all from one of Europe’s darkest locations…

• Use of the telescopes for viewing is only possible when we have clear skies
• Events go ahead in all weather conditions except where roads are impassible due to snow
• We do not issue tickets, full details are provided when you book your seats

Booking essential.