Can You Use Night Vision to See the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are putting on a show in the UK this week – and people are heading outside in their droves to try and catch a glimpse. If you’ve ever seen the aurora before, you’ll know it’s one of the most jaw-dropping sights nature has to offer. But if you haven’t, you might be wondering: could digital night vision help me spot them?

What’s Happening in the Sky Right Now

Normally, you’d need to travel to places like Norway, Iceland, or northern Canada to see the aurora borealis. But thanks to a spike in solar activity, the lights are making an appearance much further south than usual – across Scotland, northern England, and even parts of the Midlands. If the skies stay clear, you’ve got a good chance of seeing those famous shimmering curtains of green, purple, and red.

Where Digital Night Vision Comes In

Here’s the thing: digital night vision devices aren’t designed to show colour. So while you won’t see the full greens and purples of the aurora through your goggles, they can give you an edge when it comes to spotting activity in the sky.

Night vision helps by:

• Picking up faint aurora movement your eyes might miss.
• Cutting through hazy light pollution.
• Giving people with weaker night vision a clearer view.

The key is to use your device with the infrared (IR) illuminator turned off. That way, you’re only amplifying the natural light already in the sky.

How to Maximise Your Northern Lights Hunt

If you’re planning a night out under the stars, a few simple steps can make all the difference:

• Find a dark spot – the less light pollution, the better. Rural spots or high ground are perfect.
• Check the KP index – anything above 5 means good aurora chances in the UK.
• Bring a camera – modern smartphones can capture the colours even when your eyes can’t.
• Layer up – clear skies usually mean cold nights. Take a flask and enjoy the wait.

The Bottom Line

Digital night vision won’t replace the magic of seeing the Northern Lights in full colour, but it can help you spot the faintest flickers and make sure you don’t miss out. Think of it as your aurora-detection tool – then let your eyes (and your camera) take in the real show.

So if you’re heading out this week, grab your night vision, wrap up warm, and keep your eyes on the skies. This is a rare UK light show you won’t want to miss.