THE NORTHERN Lights are set to light up UK skies for the second evening in a row.
Usually, people travel to northern locations such as Norway, Finland or Sweden to catch a glimpse of these lights.
Paul Scott/CMGIncredible images capture the Northern Lights seen from Findhorn Beach in Scotland on Monday[/caption]
Paul Scott/CMGThe Aurora is caused by collisions between electrically charged particles released from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere[/caption]
But Brits could again lock eyes on the incredible light display after a fast-moving coronal mass ejection (CME) left the sun late on Saturday night.
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis are caused by charged particles from the sun clashing with gases in the Earth‘s atmosphere.
And according to the Met Office, the lights are predicted to arrive at Earth either late on Monday or early Tuesday.
At the height of its geomagnetic activity, the weather service says millions of Brits across the UK may lock eyes with the aurora.
Aurora refers to a natural light display, typically visible in high latitude regions such as the North and South poles.
But, areas closest to the aurora oval are the most likely places for a northern lights sighting.
Those who like in the north are most likely to witness the display.
Today and tomorrow will see night-time viewing conditions worsen, but northern Scotland and northern England are likely to have the clearest skies, although still not ideal viewing conditions.
Krista Hammond, Met Office space weather manager, said: “As we monitor the arrival of this coronal mass ejection, there is a real possibility of aurora sightings further south than usual on Monday night.
“While the best views are likely further north, anyone with clear, dark skies should keep an eye out.
“Forecasts can change rapidly, so we encourage the public to stay updated with the latest information.”
It comes after stargazers last night reported sightings in north-east Scotland, northern England and the Midlands, with photos on social media showing the lights as far south as West Cork in Ireland.
Back in 2003 a mega geomagnetic storm happened which increased our chances in the UK of seeing the northern lights.
It usually takes a large geomagnetic storm to see the lights.
These storms come from the sun and work on a cycle of 11 years.
When the sun reaches its 11 year cycle, sunspot activity is increases which creates more Coronal Mass Ejections.
More charged particles are then sent to Earth and that triggers the light.
Since the sun is currently reaching its 11 year cycle, we are seeing more of the lights, but once the cycle passes, we will see less.
In 2024, high altitude areas such as Scotland, the North of England, the North of Wales and Northern Ireland have had the clearest displays.
However, many people have managed to see the lights all over the UK.
To see the northern lights best, first make sure you’re in a low pollution area and it’s night time.
Sometimes it can be difficult for the naked eye to see the lights because of light pollution or twilight.
If this is the case, your phone camera could do a better job of picking up the light.
Then, look towards the northern horizon.
If you’re serious about seeing the lights, you might want to set up a tripod and use a long exposure length.
The Northern Lights visible through clouds over Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North YorkshirePA
GettyCrowds enjoyed the Northern Lights last year[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
