The secret of success in spotting one of the world’s most celebrated natural phenomena – the Northern Lights – will be unveiled to an audience in Aberdeen this week (Friday 3 April).
Internationally leading astronomer Nigel Bradbury will show how hunters of the effect known as Aurora Borealis can secure the best chance of viewing the spectacle.
His lecture – The Northern Lights Experience – will take place at the University of Aberdeen's Regent Building Lecture Theatre beginning at 6.15pm.
Organised by the University's Public Engagement with Science Unit in association with TechFest-SetPoint, the event takes place as part of celebrations to mark the International Year of Astronomy.
Admission to the lecture is free and booking is not required.
Bradbury has worked alongside key astronomers including Sir Patrick Moore and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
In his lecture he will provide tips including the best times and prime locations for spotting the Northern Lights.
He will also give an overview of the special chartered flights available which allow you to view the Northern Lights within the course of your journey.
Dr Ken Skeldon of the University's Public Engagement with Science Unit said: "To date Nigel Bradbury has been guest astronomer on over sixty flights to view the Northern Lights and has clocked up a viewing success rate of over 95%.
"As we'll hear from him, all it takes to see this amazing phenomenon ourselves is some creative holiday planning. Nigel will share with the audience some of the spectacular photography captured of the Northern Lights from past visits he has paid to Norway on aurora-flights which operate in the region. He will also give us an insight into his career which has seen him help light up the sky for tens of thousands of people through his lectures and astro-tours."
Liz Hodge of TechFest-SetPoint said: "We are delighted that Nigel will be delivering his lecture in Old Aberdeen, given the myth, perpetuated by song, surrounding the actual likelihood of viewing the Aurora Borealis in this area."
For more information on the lecture visit www.abdn.ac.uk/science/iya