How do I ... see the northern lights?

Getting to see aurora borealis is down to the whims of space weather, which is almost as unreliable as British weather

In fiction, they have been used as a gateway to a parallel universe. In song, they've inspired prog rockers and Welsh psych-poppers alike. In real life, the northern lights are just as spectacular, offering an unforgettable display of colourful lights that put even the stage shows of French electro legend Jean Michel Jarre to shame.

Here in the UK we are witnessing conditions unusually conducive to seeing the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis. The improved chances are due both to the time of year and the impact of a "coronal hole" near the sun's equator, which has aligned with Earth to send speedy, and pretty, solar winds to buffet the planet.