The Northern Lights will be visible in the UK tonight—so make sure you don’t miss out!
Also known as the Aurora Borealis, this breathtaking natural phenomenon will be seen "across the very far north of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland tonight," according to the UK’s Met Office.
It comes after stunning displays were spotted last night in Dundee, Hopeman in Moray, and the Shetland Islands, with photographers capturing some incredible shots.
The mesmerising light show is caused by a geomagnetic storm, a disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field triggered by a powerful burst of charged particles from the sun.
The best part? You don’t need any special equipment to enjoy it. The Met Office says that even if the aurora isn’t visible to the naked eye, people with a decent camera might still be able to capture it.
"Cameras are useful because long exposure lets in more light, enhancing the colours beyond what the human eye can see," a spokesperson explained.
"That’s why you sometimes see pictures taken as far south as Cornwall, even though it’s unlikely to be visible without a camera that far down."
To get the best view, head to a dark spot away from artificial lights and hope for a clear sky. The best places to see the aurora in the UK are in high-altitude areas with little light pollution, making them closer to the magnetosphere.
Some top viewing spots include the Lake District in Cumbria, Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, the Shetland Islands, and Whitley Bay in North Tyneside.
After last night’s display, the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in England are fading as the weekend approaches. However, those further north may still get lucky if skies remain clear.
According to forecasts, England and Wales will have a dry Friday night with some clear skies, while Scotland and Northern Ireland may see cloud cover and patchy rain.
A Met Office spokesperson said there is still a chance of sightings in the far north of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland tonight.
"A band of rain and cloud will move into the northwest tonight, so the longest-lasting clear skies will be further east in Scotland and northern England," they added.
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