Last night in Guernsey, the night sky turned into something I’m more used to seeing in Icelandic travel brochures than over our tiny island. Yes, the aurora borealis, the Northern Lights themselves, appeared overhead in a neon display that had me scrambling to grab my camera. You’d think this was the Arctic, not Guernsey, but no, the aurora has been showing up in some pretty unexpected places recently—Guernsey included.

But why now? Why here? The aurora is usually a treat reserved for the north, right? We’re talking Norway, Alaska, places with snow and fjords. So what in the solar system is making this happen in places like Guernsey, France, and beyond?

What is the Aurora Borealis?

The aurora borealis is that magical, glowing light show that happens when charged particles from the sun slam into Earth's atmosphere. When these particles hit Earth’s gases—oxygen and nitrogen—they get all excited and emit light. The color depends on the gas: oxygen gives us green and red, while nitrogen brings out blue and purple. It’s like the universe decided to show off, lighting up the entire night sky.

Normally, the aurora sticks to its northern stomping grounds near the Arctic. But recently, thanks to increased solar activity, it’s been making appearances at lower latitudes—places like, well, Guernsey. Which brings us to the next question: why?

The Science Behind the Spectacle

The aurora borealis happens because of the sun—specifically, solar wind. This solar wind is made up of charged particles, and when these particles hit Earth’s magnetic field, they follow those magnetic field lines to the poles. But here’s where things get interesting.

The sun has a cycle. Every 11 years, it goes through phases of low and high activity. Right now, we’re in Solar Cycle 25—which is like the sun's equivalent of gearing up for a rave. Solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and sunspots are all signs that the sun is feeling feisty. And when those CMEs hit Earth’s magnetic shield, they cause geomagnetic storms that make the auroral oval (the area where auroras appear) expand. That's why you’re seeing auroras in places that don’t usually get them.

Solar Cycles: How the Sun’s Mood Affects Us

The sun, as it turns out, is not always as peaceful as it looks. Every 11 years, it goes through periods of minimum and maximum activity. Right now, we’re on the upswing, heading towards solar maximum in 2025. What does that mean? More sunspots (think of them as solar pimples), more solar flares (the sun’s tantrums), and more CMEs—giant bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields shooting out into space.

These solar events send waves of charged particles toward Earth, and when they hit our atmosphere, we get the light show. But, because we're heading toward the peak of Solar Cycle 25, these events are getting stronger and more frequent, pushing the aurora borealis further south.

Recent Southern Sightings: Why Guernsey?

Usually, you have to travel far north to see the aurora borealis, but recently, countries as far south as France, Germany, and even northern Spain have reported sightings. It’s like the aurora decided to take a vacation, crossing its usual boundaries thanks to these increased geomagnetic storms. In Guernsey, we’re benefiting from this expanded auroral oval, which means more opportunities to witness this rare spectacle—without the expense of booking flights to Scandinavia.

The Science Behind Solar Storms

When a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) hits Earth’s magnetosphere, it causes what’s called a geomagnetic storm. This storm disturbs our magnetic field, and in the process, creates beautiful auroras. The stronger the storm, the further south the aurora reaches. Earth’s magnetic field usually does a great job of shielding us from most solar radiation, but during intense storms, it gets a little overwhelmed. That’s why you’re seeing the lights as far down as Guernsey lately.

Solar Activity and Its Effects on Earth

These solar storms are not just pretty—they can mess with our tech. Satellites can get disrupted, GPS signals might go haywire, and even power grids can experience issues. In fact, a huge geomagnetic storm like the Carrington Event in 1859 caused auroras so far south they were seen in the Caribbean, and it fried telegraph systems worldwide. Today, while we’re better equipped, a big enough solar storm could still cause some serious chaos.

Why Now?

As we approach the solar maximum in 2025, the sun is flexing its muscles, throwing out more flares, CMEs, and geomagnetic storms. These disturbances are causing the aurora to expand southward, meaning we can expect more auroral activity in places like Guernsey over the next few years. So, don’t pack away your tripod just yet.

How to Capture the Aurora in Guernsey

Speaking of tripods, let’s talk aurora photography! If you’re a Guernsey photographer (like me), here’s how to make sure you nail those shots:

1. Get the Gear: You’ll need a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings. A good wide-angle lens (think 16-35mm) and a sturdy tripod are essential.

2. Pick the Settings: Start with a high ISO (around 800-3200), a wide aperture (f/2.8-f/4), and an exposure time between 5-30 seconds. You’ll want to adjust depending on the brightness of the aurora and ambient light.

3. Scout Your Spot: Find a dark location with minimal light pollution. Northern-facing viewpoints are best. In Guernsey, that might mean heading to the quieter coastal areas.

4. Be Patient: Aurora chasing can be hit or miss. Apps like Aurora Alerts or websites like Space Weather Prediction Center will help you stay updated on geomagnetic activity.

The Cultural Impact of the Aurora Borealis

Historically, auroras have sparked awe and even fear. In the past, they were often seen as omens or signals from the gods. Today, thankfully, we can appreciate their beauty without panicking about apocalyptic events. While Guernsey hasn’t been a typical aurora hotspot, these recent sightings are inspiring more people to look up, camera or no camera.

The Future of Aurora Sightings in Guernsey

As Solar Cycle 25 heats up, Guernsey might just become a new destination for aurora hunters. The further we progress toward the solar maximum, the better our chances are for catching these elusive lights again. If you missed last night’s display, don’t worry—there’s likely more to come in the next couple of years.

Final Thoughts

The aurora borealis gracing Guernsey’s skies is nothing short of magical, and it's a reminder of the fascinating, unpredictable forces of nature. As a photographer, getting the chance to capture this phenomenon on our own turf is incredible. I’ll be out there, camera in hand, ready for the next show. And I hope you will be too—whether you’re snapping photos or just soaking in the view.

So, keep your eyes to the sky, Guernsey. The lights are coming for us, and you don’t want to miss the cosmic spectacle unfolding right in our backyard.

Update: A Close Encounter with STEVE and a Cosmic Cloud Twist

On the evening of October 10th, while Channel Islanders marvelled at the vivid greens and purples of the aurora, I may have unknowingly captured a rare phenomenon—STEVE—with an unusual S-shaped cloud photobombing the scene. STEVE, short for Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement, is not your average aurora. Unlike the familiar oval-shaped Northern Lights, STEVE appears as a thin ribbon of light, often glowing in pinks or purples, and is believed to be caused by hot, fast-moving particles in the sub-auroral ion drift. This ethereal light display lasts anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, making it a rare and fleeting spectacle.

The image I captured shows what looks like STEVE’s characteristic narrow ribbon, glowing in a reddish hue, interrupted by an oddly shaped cloud that seemed to mimic the phenomenon itself. Whether the cloud was just a coincidence or some bizarre cosmic alignment, the result is stunning—a celestial scene that adds even more mystery to STEVE’s unpredictable nature.

The combination of aurora activity and this rare light ribbon above Guernsey has made for some extraordinary photographs, and while STEVE remains a new and relatively unexplored scientific event, sightings like this help build our understanding of it. So, whether it was STEVE, the Northern Lights, or both, one thing’s certain—the sky over the Channel Islands is proving to be full of surprises lately.

If you’ve been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of STEVE or other auroras recently, keep those cameras handy—who knows what the skies will reveal next!