THE Northern Lights put on a magical display in the UK last night – and Brits will be given another chance to spot the spectacular Aurora Borealis tonight. The shimmering colourful waves were visible in many cloud-free areas just before midnight on Saturday. Stunning photos snapped in the Highlands, Northumberland, and Belfast showed the Northern […]
THE Northern Lights put on a magical display in the UK last night – and Brits will be given another chance to spot the spectacular Aurora Borealis tonight.
The shimmering colourful waves were visible in many cloud-free areas just before midnight on Saturday.
Stunning photos snapped in the Highlands, Northumberland, and Belfast showed the Northern Lights dancing in the skies above the UK.
The extravaganza was caused by a solar flare – a burst of radiation – which erupted from the sun on Thursday.
The solar storm interfered with the Earth’s magnetosphere and created the perfect conditions for the atmosphere to light up with the spectacular colours.
And depending on where you live in the UK, you might get a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis again tonight.
Brits could be treated to a dazzling light display when a huge solar flare helps illuminate the sky, making for a spectacular Halloween treat.
The Met Office said increased geomagnetic activity will improve visibility in the north – but even people as far south as Norfolk also stand a chance.
Large areas of colour, including green, pink, red, yellow, blue and purple, are set to light up the skies for another incredible display.
Scotland tends to be the best place to watch the lights from as it is furthest north.
But northern England, north Wales and Northern Ireland often get a pretty good show.
An under the right conditions, the lights can be seen throughout the UK.
Tonight, the Met Office estimates those living in the far north of Scotland are in with the best shot of catching a glimpse at the lights.
Skies are forecast to be mostly clear, but some rain and fierce winds are forecast, so skygazers should be cautious.
North-facing coasts offer some of the best views, according to forecasters, but anywhere looking northward will offer you the best opportunity.
Heading out at between 7pm and 2am is recommended, but any time in the late evening should give you a glimpse of the glow.
Outdoor enthusiast Kathel, from Wales, made a trip to Dunstanburgh Castle with her family to see the Northern Lights on Saturday night.
She shared a series of photos of her and her family watching the stunning display over the sea.
She said: “What a night at #dunstanburghcastle watching meteors, the aurora & just standing in awe under the blanket of stars above us… and best of all I got to share it with my eldest who insisted on coming along!”
Farne Islands photographer and videographer Andrew Douglas also shared pictures of Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland lit up by the vivid colours.
The phenomenon is caused by electrically charged particles from the sun smashing into gaseous particles in Earth’s atmosphere.
This is often accompanied by a coronal mass ejection – otherwise known as a huge expulsion of plasma from the sun’s outer layer.
